rival
REYE-vuhl
Rival (noun) means a person, team, or organisation competing for the same goal as another. Example: “Our local bakery has a new rival opening just across the street.”
noun
1
A person, team, or organisation competing for the same goal as another.
"Our local bakery has a new rival opening just across the street."
"The two companies have been bitter rivals for market share since the 1990s."
"She trained harder than any of her rivals."
verb
1
To be as good as, or nearly as good as, someone or something else.
"Her homemade bread can rival anything you would buy in a shop."
"Few cities rival Venice for its beauty at sunrise."
"The new stadium rivals anything in Europe."
How to use rival
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA competitor going after the same thing you are, or (as a verb) to match something in quality.
Common pairings
rival gang
fierce rival
rival to something
rival for the title
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Word forms
- Plural
- rivals
- Third person singular
- rivals
- Past tense
- rivalled, rivaled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our local bakery has a new _____ opening just across the street.
Etymology
From Latin rivalis, literally "one who uses the same stream as another" — the idea being that neighbours sharing a water source naturally end up in competition.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for rival
See all rhymes for rival →Frequently asked questions
What does “rival” mean?
The word “rival” means a person, team, or organisation competing for the same goal as another. In plain terms, a competitor going after the same thing you are, or (as a verb) to match something in quality.
How do you pronounce “rival”?
“Rival” is pronounced REYE-vuhl (/ˈɹaɪvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “rival” in a sentence?
Here is “rival” used in a sentence: “The two companies have been bitter rivals for market share since the 1990s.”
What part of speech is “rival”?
Depending on how it is used, “rival” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rival” come from?
The word “rival” comes from Latin. From Latin rivalis, literally "one who uses the same stream as another" — the idea being that neighbours sharing a water source naturally end up in competition.
Is “rival” a common word?
“Rival” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rival” have?
“Rival” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person, team, or organisation competing for the same goal as another.
What is the difference between a "rival" and a "competitor"?
A "rival" and a "competitor" both compete for the same goal, but "rival" often suggests a more personal, long-standing, or intense contest. "Competitor" is more neutral and common in business and sport, while "rival" implies a notable head-to-head relationship.
What is the difference between a "rival" and an "enemy"?
A "rival" competes with you for the same prize, position, or goal, and the relationship can still be respectful. An "enemy" is someone hostile who wishes you harm, so rivalry is about competition while enmity is about opposition and ill will.
When should you use "rival" instead of "opponent"?
"Opponent" usually refers to whoever you face in a single contest, match, or debate. "Rival" describes an ongoing competitor across many contests or over time, so a one-off opponent is not necessarily a rival.
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