one-on-one

adjective or adverb

ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən 

ˌwən-än-

1

: playing directly against a single opposing player

2

: involving a direct encounter between one person and another

Synonyms

• eyeball-to-eyeball
• face-to-face
• head-on
• head-to-head
• mano a mano
• toe-to-toe

Examples of one-on-one in a Sentence

bragged that no one could go one-on-one with her in a game of darts and win

Recent Examples on the Web

Not to police, but to listen Create rituals like weekly manager huddles, short check-ins or one-on-one reflection space that goes beyond updates Model from the top. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Bain said that his one-on-one teletherapy sessions have helped, but that he’s had less success with online group therapy. —Phillip Reese, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

Along with showcasing food from different countries, Enoteca Maria offers a free class where participants can get one-on-one cooking tutorials from grandmothers. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 9 May 2025

Taskmaster Saturn will also enter Aries on May 24, challenging your one-on-one partnerships and commitments, as you are called to take your relationships more seriously and establish firm boundaries in the process. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-on-one

• hydrocodone
• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• overrun
• povidone
• trazodone
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun