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

Of course, Buss attended her team’s face-off against the Denver Nuggets and made a point to pose with Hudson during the game. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 21 Mar. 2025

Each week will feature a new flavor face-off for guests to order. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2025

Verb

This week, Bishop’s (2-0) faces off at home against in-town rival La Jolla High at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, and travels to Carlsbad at 5:30 p.m. March 15. —Ben Ali H Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025

Two of the best teams in the NBA face off on Saturday when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Boston Celtics in what could be the game of the season. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for face-off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

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