rivalry
RYE-vuhl-ree
/ˈraɪvlri/
Competition for the same objective or for superiority in the same field.
Often implies a long-standing history of competition between two specific parties.
The story behind the word. This word has a surprisingly humble origin. It comes from the Latin 'rivalis,' meaning 'one who uses the same stream (rivus) as another.' Neighbors would often fight over water rights, leading to the modern meaning of 'competitor.'
Word relationships
- feud: A feud is a long-standing, often violent conflict; a rivalry is a competition that can be healthy or professional.
- competition: Competition is the act of competing; rivalry is the ongoing relationship of competition.
- collaboration: Working together toward a common goal rather than competing.
Commonly confused with
- adversary: An adversary is an opponent; a rivalry is the state of being opponents.
Word family
- rival (noun/verb): a competitor / to compete with
Collocations
- fierce rivalry
- bitter rivalry
- long-standing rivalry
- sporting rivalry
Example sentences
- "The rivalry between the two tennis stars spanned over a decade." Sports history.
- "There is a fierce rivalry between the neighboring countries' football teams." National competition.
Memory hook
Rivals are people who live on opposite sides of the 'river' and fight over it. River = Rival.
When not to use
Don't use it for a one-time competition between strangers; it usually requires a history.
Fun facts
- The rivalry between Adidas and Puma began as a literal family feud between two brothers, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler.
Related words
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