What does rivalry mean?
Rivalry is the condition of competing with another person, group, or organization, usually in circumstances where the contestants are comparable and the outcome matters. The word can be approving, as in friendly rivalry, or critical, as in a bitter or destructive rivalry. It is especially common in journalism, sport, business, and politics, where it describes a continuing contest for an advantage, prize, market share, or position. Unlike competition, which may name a single event or process, rivalry often implies an established relationship between opponents. The term is also used when a conflict is primarily competitive, though it can carry a stronger implication of personal opposition and hostility than the neutral word competition.
nounThe state of competing with another person, group, or organization, especially over something important or prestigious. It can describe friendly competition, but often suggests strong opposition, rivalry, or hostility.
- The state of competing with another person, group, or organization, especially over something important or prestigious.
- Strong and often sustained opposition or hostility between people or groups who are rivals.
"The two companies have a long-standing rivalry in the technology market."
"A friendly rivalry between the two schools encouraged students to develop their skills."
"Their rivalry grew more bitter after the dispute over the leadership of the company."
The plural is used for different competitive relationships or instances of rivalry.
"The two clubs have several long-standing rivalries."
Rivalry began with a shared watercourse: Latin rivalis originally meant someone who took water from the same stream, before the word came to mean an opponent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rivalry come from?
Rivalry came into English through French rivalité, from Latin rivalitas, which was derived from rivalis, meaning one who uses the same stream as another. The Latin word was connected with rivus, meaning stream or channel, and originally described people sharing a watercourse. Over time, the sense developed from sharing the same channel to being in competition, and then to being an opponent. The related English words rival, rivalous, and rivalship preserve the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How rivalry is actually used
Rivalry is neutral in tone but can range from friendly and sporting to hostile and adversarial. In business, sport, and politics, it often describes a recurring contest between parties of similar strength or status.
Easily confused with rivalry
A competition is an event or process of contending, whereas rivalry more often describes an ongoing relationship or state of opposition between rivals.
Conflict is a broader term for a serious disagreement or struggle, while rivalry specifically emphasizes competition between parties with comparable aims or status.