A resist composition and a pattern forming method using the composition are provided, the resist composition including: (A) a resin that decomposes by an action of an acid to increase a solubility of the resin (A) in an alkali developer; (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with actinic rays or radiation; (C) a compound represented by formula (C1); and (D) a solvent: wherein n represents an integer of 1 to 6; w represents an integer of 1 to 6; p represents an integer of 1 to 6; m represents an integer of 1 to 6; Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group, provided that Ra and Rb may combine together to form a ring, and Rc and Rd may combine together to form a ring.