face-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf 

1

: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them

2

: confrontation

face off

2 of 2

verb

faced off; facing off; faces off

intransitive verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition

politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate

Synonyms

Noun

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• contest
• dogfight
• duel
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tug-of-war
• war
• warfare

Verb

• battle
• compete
• contend
• fight
• race
• rival
• vie

Examples of face-off in a Sentence

Noun

the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges

Verb

eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After all, the high-stakes game saw the Lions and the Vikings battle it out for the NFC North Division title in their final face-off of the regular season, with the Lions coming out on top, 31-9 against the Vikings. —EW.com, 6 Jan. 2025

The pair appeared to be engrossed in the game, which the Lakers won 114-106, with Deschanel captured gasping at one point during the tense face-off. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025

Verb

Carter and Gerald Ford faced off in a bitter campaign in 1976 but later bonded as few presidents have — and made a pact to speak at each other’s funerals. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

In photos from the US Open, Jenner and Chalamet can be seen kissing in coordinated outfits while watching Novak Djokovic face off against Daniil Medvedev. —Glamour, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

face-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈfā-ˌsȯf

1

: a method of putting a puck in play in ice hockey by dropping it between two opposing players

2

: a meeting of opposing forces : confrontation

face off

2 of 2 verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition

politicians facing off each other in a debate