rival

1 of 3

noun

ri·​val ˈrī-vəl 

1

a

: one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess

b

: one striving for competitive advantage

2

obsolete : companion, associate

3

: equal, peer

rival

2 of 3

adjective

: having the same pretensions or claims : competing

rival

3 of 3

verb

rivaled or rivalled; rivaling or rivalling ˈrīv-(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to act as a rival : compete

transitive verb

1

: to be in competition with

2

: to strive to equal or excel : emulate

3

: to possess qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal (those of another)

Did you know?

On Rivals, Rivaling, and Rivalry

The word rival most commonly refers to a person or group that tries to defeat or be more successful than another person or group, which means that rivals tend to come in pairs. Candidates running for the same political office are political rivals, and two people trying to earn the exclusive affection of a third are romantic rivals. Teams, schools, or companies might be longtime rivals if they try over many years to outdo each other.

Rival can also mean “equal” or “peer.” When the word is used in this way it's usually conveying how good or impressive something or someone is. For example, "a country musician the rival of any in the world" is as good as the best country musicians in the world. Often a negating word is added to assert superiority, as in "a country musician without rival."

As a verb, rival typically has a meaning that relates to this latter sense of the noun. The verb is most often used to say that someone or something possesses qualities or aptitudes that approach or equal those of another. For example, for one country musician to be rivaling another, the first country musician must be as good as or nearly as good as the other musician. (Note that in U.S. English, the verb's forms are usually spelled rivaled and rivaling; in British English rivalled and rivalling are preferred.)

The noun rivalry has to do with the state or situation in which rivals (usually in the “competitor” sense) exist, or in which rivaling happens. In politics we have political rivalries, and in matters of the heart there are romantic rivalries. Sibling rivalry exists when there is competition or jealousy between sisters or brothers.

Synonyms

Noun

• coequal
• compeer
• coordinate
• counterpart
• equal
• equivalent
• fellow
• like
• match
• parallel
• peer

Verb

• battle
• compete
• contend
• face off
• fight
• race
• vie

Examples of rival in a Sentence

Noun

The teams have been longtime rivals.

The men are romantic rivals for her affection.

Verb

The company manufactures paper that rivals the world's best.

The new museum will rival the largest in the world.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris will be the next president of the United States and beat Republican rival Donald Trump on Election Day, or so historian and election forecaster Allan Lichtman still predicts. —Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024

Speakers at the rally also made racist comments targeting Latinos, Black people, Jews and Palestinians, along with sexist insults directed at Trump’s Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. —Michael Rubinkam, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The 61-year-old reality TV personality, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is serving a 21-year sentence in a Texas federal prison for the murder-for-hire case of rival zoo operator Carole Baskin. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024

Gamble also pointed to rival Amazon MGM Studios continuing to lean into theatrical releases. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

Verb

Events filled with floral arrangements rivaling a Jan van Huysum botanical tableau. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024

In July, the chain announced plans to pilot a beef burger that aims to rival the Big Mac, though a U.S. launch timelines remains unclear. —Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin rivalis one using the same stream as another, rival in love, from rivalis of a stream, from rivus stream — more at run

First Known Use

Noun

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1592, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1607, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing rival

• mortal foe/rival

Kids Definition

rival

1 of 3 noun

ri·​val ˈrī-vəl 

1

a

: one of two or more trying to get what only one can have

b

: competitor

2

: one that equals another : peer

rival

2 of 3 adjective

: of, relating to, or being a rival

rival

3 of 3 verb

rivaled or rivalled; rivaling or rivalling ˈrīv-(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to be in competition with

2

: to be as good as or almost as good as

manufacture linens that rival the world's best

Etymology

Noun

from early French rival "rival," from Latin rivalis "one using the same stream as another, a rival in love," from rivalis (adjective) "of a stream," from rivus "stream"

Word Origin

The English word rival can be traced to the Latin word rivus, meaning "a stream." From rivus came the Latin rivalis, which meant "one who uses the same stream as another." Those who must share a stream may argue about who has the right to use the water. Such disputes are common when two people want the same thing. The Latin word rivalis in time came to be used for other people who are also likely to fight with each other. It meant "a man in love with the same woman as another man." This sense of rivalis came into English as rival.