Entered to win it, I always get first (7)
I believe the answer is:
initial
'first' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'entered to win it i always' is the wordplay.
'entered' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'entering' mean this).
'INITIAL' is hidden in the letters of 'to win it i always'.
'get' is the link.
(Other definitions for initial that I've seen before include "Letter - opening" , "Occurring at the beginnng" , "First - opening" , "Introductory" , "Word's first letter" .)