First Known Use: 1577
Dictionary
1rival
noun ri·val \ˈrī-vəl\
: a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another
: something or someone that is as good or almost as good as another person or thing
Full Definition of RIVAL
1
a : one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage
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See rival defined for kids
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Origin of RIVAL
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
Related to RIVAL
- Synonyms
- coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, equal
- Antonyms
- noncompetitor
2rival
adjective
Definition of RIVAL
: having the same pretensions or claims : competing
First Known Use of RIVAL
1590
3rival
verb
: to be as good or almost as good as (someone or something)
ri·valed or ri·valledri·val·ing or ri·val·ling \ˈrīv-(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of RIVAL
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)
See rival defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RIVAL
1605
RIVALLED Defined for Kids
1rival
noun ri·val \ˈrī-vəl\
Definition of RIVAL for Kids
: someone or something that tries to defeat or be more successful than another
Word History of RIVAL
Rival is borrowed from Latin rivalis. As an adjective made from the noun rivus, “stream,” rivalis meant “of a brook or stream.” As a noun, rivalis was used to refer to those who use the same stream for water. Just as neighbors might dispute each other's rights to a common source of water, disagreement often arises when two people want something that only one can possess. Thus Latin rivalis also developed a sense relating to competition in other areas, and this sense came into English.
2rival
adjective
Definition of RIVAL for Kids
: being equally good <rival claims>
3rival
verb
ri·valed or ri·valledri·val·ing or ri·val·ling
Definition of RIVAL for Kids
: to be as good as or almost as good as <Her skills rival those of the champion.>
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