Luvvies have to contend (3)
I believe the answer is:
vie
'contend' is the definition.
(I know that contend can be written as vie)
'luvvies have' is the wordplay.
'have' indicates a hidden word.
'VIE' can be found hidden inside 'luvvies'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for vie that I've seen before include "Strive in French way?" , "Engage in rivalry" , "Eagerly compete" , "Try to do better than" , "Jockey" .)