Rival

Definition

Rival refers to a person, group, or entity competing against another for the same objective or for superiority in a specified field or area.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Adjective
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈraɪvəl/
• Respelling: RYE-vul (with "RYE" as in "rye," and "vul" as in "shovel")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈraɪvəl/
• Respelling: RYE-vul (similar to American English, with "RYE" as in "rye," and "vul" as in "shovel")

In both dialects, "rival" is pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable "RYE," followed by a short "vul" sound. The pronunciation is consistent across both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "rival" has its roots in Latin, stemming from the word "rivalis", which means "a person using the same stream as another". It entered English around the late 16th century, denoting competition over resources.

Derivatives

• Rivalry
• Rivalrous
• Rivalize (less common)
• Unrivaled
• Rivalless

Synonyms

• Competitor
• Opponent
• Adversary

Antonyms

• Ally
• Partner
• Supporter

Usage

The term "rival" is commonly used in competitive settings, whether in sports, business, or other areas where entities vie for a common goal or superiority.

Related Terms

• Competition
• Rivalry
• Antagonist
• Adversary

Detailed Definition

Noun

• Competitor: An individual, group, or entity that competes against another or others, often for the same goal or in the same field.‍
• Example: She regarded the other team as her rivals in the championship.

• Opponent: A person or entity opposing another, often in a hostile or adversarial manner.\
• Example: He will face his old rival in the final round of the tournament.

Adjective

• Competing: Having the position or status of a competitor or opponent.‍
• Example: Their rival company launched a similar product to undercut their sales.

Verb

• Compete with: To compete with someone or something, often vigorously or aggressively.‍
• Example: They have been rivaling each other for the top spot for years.

• Match or Surpass: To match or surpass someone or something, often through effort or ingenuity.‍
• Example: The startup aims to rival the success of established tech giants.