duel
JOO-uhl
Duel (noun) means a prearranged fight between two people, historically to settle a matter of honor. Example: “The two officers agreed to settle their dispute with a duel at dawn.”
noun
1
A prearranged fight between two people, historically to settle a matter of honor.
"The two officers agreed to settle their dispute with a duel at dawn."
"In the old novel, the proud nobleman challenged his rival to a duel."
"Duels were once fought with swords or pistols, though the practice is now illegal."
2
Any intense contest or struggle between two competing sides.
"The chess match turned into a duel of nerves in the final round."
"It became a duel between the two candidates for every undecided voter."
"The final set became a thrilling duel between the two best players in the club."
verb
1
To fight a duel, or to compete fiercely with someone.
"The two swordsmen dueled until one was disarmed."
How to use duel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal one-on-one fight, or by extension any close head-to-head contest.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "dual," meaning "having two parts" — they sound identical but are spelled differently and mean different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fight a duel
duel to the death
a duel of wits
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Word forms
- Plural
- duels
- Third person singular
- duels
- Past tense
- dueled, duelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two officers agreed to settle their dispute with a _____ at dawn.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin duellum, "a fight between two men" — later linked (probably wrongly, by folk association) to duo, "two," which is why it now means a two-person contest.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for duel
See all rhymes for duel →Frequently asked questions
What does “duel” mean?
The word “duel” means a prearranged fight between two people, historically to settle a matter of honor. In plain terms, a formal one-on-one fight, or by extension any close head-to-head contest.
How do you pronounce “duel”?
“Duel” is pronounced JOO-uhl (/ˈdul/ in IPA).
How do you use “duel” in a sentence?
Here is “duel” used in a sentence: “The two officers agreed to settle their dispute with a duel at dawn.”
What part of speech is “duel”?
Depending on how it is used, “duel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “duel” come from?
The word “duel” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin duellum, "a fight between two men" — later linked (probably wrongly, by folk association) to duo, "two," which is why it now means a two-person contest.
Is “duel” a common word?
“Duel” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “duel” have?
“Duel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a prearranged fight between two people, historically to settle a matter of honor.
What is the difference between a duel and a fight?
A duel is a prearranged, formal contest between two people, historically fought to settle a matter of honor under agreed rules, while a fight is a more general term for any physical confrontation, which can be spontaneous and involve any number of people.
Can duel be used outside of literal combat?
Yes, duel is often used figuratively to describe any intense contest or struggle between two competing sides, such as a 'duel of wits' or a 'duel for first place,' without any physical fighting involved.
Is duel used as both a noun and a verb?
Yes, duel functions as a noun for the contest itself and as a verb meaning to fight a duel or to compete fiercely with someone, as in 'the two candidates dueled over the policy.'
