rival

1 of 3

noun

ri·​val ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce rival (audio)
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 How to pronounce rival (audio)

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.

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
Apple’s iPhone 16 models and the latest high-end smartphones from Chinese rival Huawei both hit stores in China on the same day, Sept. 20. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024 Canelo, a significant figure in the boxing world, is one of De La Hoya's most notable rivals. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Meanwhile, rival Rivian — which makes the electric R1S SUV and R1T pickup — has been struggling as deliveries fell in the third quarter along with sales. Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Sign up for Axios Generate Rebecca Falconer Oct 18, 2024 - Politics & Policy Billionaires go into battle at rival events for Harris and Trump Elon Musk held his first public event for former President Trump and Mark Cuban campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday. Zachary Basu, Axios, 19 Oct. 2024
Verb
In human terms, a sound of this level can easily rival the roar of a jet engine taking off a mere 100 meters away from you. Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 This rivals the brand's biggest store, a 74,707-square-foot one in Sevierville, Tenn. The DeForest Buc-ee's will be the first Buc-ee's in Wisconsin and by far the furthest north. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rival 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rival.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rival was in 1577

Dictionary Entries Near rival

Cite this Entry

“Rival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rival. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

rival

1 of 3 noun
ri·​val ˈrī-vəl How to pronounce rival (audio)
1
a
: one of two or more trying to get what only one can have
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 How to pronounce rival (audio)
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.

More from Merriam-Webster on rival

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!