duel
/ˈdjuːəl/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈuəl] /ˈduːəl/ (ame, ipa) · [dˈuəl] /ˈdü-əl How to pronounce duel (audio) also ˈdyü-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdʒuː.əl/ (bre, ipa) · [dˈuəl] /ˈduː.əl/ (ame, ipa)
duel — noun
- duelsingular
- duelsplural
1. a planned fight, especially in earlier times, where two people used weapons to s
a planned fight, especially in earlier times, where two people used weapons to settle a personal dispute or defend their honour.
In 1798, two officers fought a duel with pistols at dawn.
fight a duel with pistols
The prince challenged his cousin to a duel after the insult.
challenge somebody to a duel
Stories of duels over honour filled the history book Liang borrowed.
Charlotte gasped when the play ended with a sword duel.
- combat
more formal and broader; not limited to a planned fight between two people
- fight
the general everyday word; it does not suggest honour or fixed rules
- single combat
historical or literary; emphasises one-against-one fighting
- truce
an agreement to stop fighting instead of settling matters by force
- reconciliation
restoring peace after a quarrel rather than continuing conflict
文法句型
a duel with pistols/swords
a duel at dawn
challenge somebody to a duel
用法筆記
Used mainly for historical or literary situations, especially fights linked to personal honour. It often appears with details such as the weapon used or the time of day.
常見錯誤
2. a very close contest in which two sides keep matching each other and neither can
a very close contest in which two sides keep matching each other and neither can pull ahead easily.
The final became a tense duel between two exhausted tennis players.
duel between two opponents
Voters watched the debate as a duel between two strong mayors.
The race soon became a duel, with both runners still level.
For months, the title race was a duel between Seoul and Busan.
文法句型
a duel between two people/teams
turn into a duel
a duel for the title
用法筆記
Usually used for a close contest between two matched sides, especially in sport, politics, or news writing. It suggests that neither side has an easy advantage.
常見錯誤
duel — verb
- duelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- duels3rd person singular
- dueling-ing form
- dueledpast simple
- duelledpast participle
1. to take part in an arranged weapon fight with another person, especially to sett
to take part in an arranged weapon fight with another person, especially to settle a matter of honour.
The two brothers duelled with swords beside the river at sunrise.
duel with swords
In the film, Obi duels the general after a public insult.
duel + direct object
Young nobles sometimes duelled over questions of honour and marriage.
The hero refuses to duel his former teacher before the crowd.
- fight
broader and more everyday; it does not imply fixed rules or honour
- cross swords
literary and often figurative, though it can also describe real sword fighting
- meet in combat
formal phrase that stresses the clash itself
- reconcile
to restore peace instead of fighting
- stand down
to step back from a fight or challenge
文法句型
duel with somebody
duel over/for something
duel somebody
用法筆記
Usually refers to historical or fictional settings rather than modern everyday conflict. It often appears with 'with' for the opponent and 'over' or 'for' for the cause of the fight.
常見錯誤
2. to face a particular opponent directly in a competition and try to come out ahea
to face a particular opponent directly in a competition and try to come out ahead.
Linh will duel the defending champion in tonight's table tennis final.
duel + direct object
Two robots duelled for the fastest lap on the practice track.
duel for [goal]
The candidates duelled on live television before the final vote.
Wren and Meera duelled for the last place in the relay team.
- face
the most neutral and common verb for meeting an opponent
- compete
broader and less dramatic; it does not require a direct rival
- go head-to-head
informal; stresses a direct contest between two sides
- battle
stronger and more emotional; can suggest a longer struggle
文法句型
duel somebody
duel with somebody
duel for something
用法筆記
Common in sports and news writing, where it gives a contest a dramatic tone. It can take a direct object or appear with 'with' when the opponent is named after the verb.
常見錯誤
3. to argue back and forth with someone as if the exchange were a contest.
to argue back and forth with someone as if the exchange were a contest.
Paul and Christopher duelled over tax policy during the radio interview.
duel over [topic]
The columnists duelled with sharp jokes in the Sunday paper.
duel with words/jokes
At dinner, Yara and Sivan duelled about where the family should move.
Lawyers from both sides duelled in court over a missing email.
- argue
the most general everyday verb for disagreeing in words
- spar
suggests quick, repeated verbal exchanges rather than one long speech
- clash
stronger and more forceful, often for public disagreement
- trade barbs
focuses on sharp, witty, or cutting remarks
文法句型
duel over something
duel about something
duel with words/jokes
用法筆記
Often metaphorical: the people are fighting with words, not weapons. It is common with 'over' or 'about' plus the topic, especially in media or political settings.