rival
/ˈraɪvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈraɪvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrī-vəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈraɪ.vəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈraɪ.vəl/ (ame, ipa)
rival — noun
1. a person, company, sports team, or organisation that tries to beat others or do
a person, company, sports team, or organisation that tries to beat others or do better than them in a competition, business deal, or sporting event
Feng's company is the biggest rival of ours in the Asian market.
rival of [someone] — showing the competitor relationship
The two rival gangs had been fighting for control of the neighbourhood for years.
rival as a modifier before a noun: rival gang / rival company
Ayana and Dario have been friendly rivals since they both trained for the Olympics.
Their main rival in the election is already ahead in the opinion polls.
A new café opened across the street, so we have a rival now.
- competitor
more neutral; common in business contexts without emotional overtones
- opponent
used for the person you face in a single game, debate, or election
- contender
suggests someone trying to win a title or prize, often in sports
文法句型
rival + noun (as modifier)
rival of/for [someone/something]
用法筆記
Often used before another noun (rival company, rival team, rival gang). Can be modified with adjectives such as bitter, fierce, old, or friendly to indicate the nature of the competition.
常見錯誤
❗ 'He is my rival in chess.' ✅ 'He is my rival at chess.' — use 'at' for games and sports, not 'in'.
rival — verb
1. to reach the same level of quality, skill, or beauty as another person or thing
to reach the same level of quality, skill, or beauty as another person or thing — for instance, a new smartphone that works as fast as a laptop computer, or a young singer whose voice is just as powerful as an experienced performer’s
The new museum’s collection rivals that of the National Gallery in London.
pattern: [something] rivals that of [place/thing]
Quinn’s performance on the piano rivalled that of musicians twice her age.
No other beach in the area can rival the beauty of Talia’s Cove.
The restaurant’s homemade pasta rivals the best Italian kitchens in the city.
文法句型
[noun] rivals [noun] in [quality]
no [noun] can rival [noun]
用法筆記
This sense describes a comparison of quality, not active competition. It is frequently used in the pattern 'no other [noun] can rival…' or 'X rivals Y in Z.' Unlike the second verb sense, it does not imply that the two parties are directly competing against each other.
常見錯誤
❗ 'She rivals her colleague for the promotion.' ✅ 'She is rivalling her colleague for the promotion.' — the first example sounds like she matches her colleague's quality (sense 1), while the second clearly means they are competing (sense 2).
2. to try to defeat or do better than another person, company, or group in a contes
to try to defeat or do better than another person, company, or group in a contest or business situation
Both companies are rivalling each other for the same government contract.
pattern: rival someone for something
Ramón and Cyrus have been rivalling each other in chess tournaments since middle school.
Two French winemakers are rivalling for the title of best champagne producer.
The streaming services are all rivalling for viewers’ attention and subscription money.
- compete with
more common in everyday speech; used for both people and organisations
- vie for
suggests a more intense struggle for the same goal; often used with 'position' or 'title'
- contest
more formal; usually takes a direct object like 'contest a seat / contest an election'
- cooperate with
to work together towards a shared goal instead of trying to beat each other
文法句型
rival [someone] for [something]
rival [someone] in [something]
用法筆記
More common in British English than American English. The typical structure is 'rival someone for something' (the prize or goal) or 'rival someone in something' (the field of competition). Distinguish from sense 1 (MATCH / EQUAL): this sense involves active, direct competition with a goal of defeating the other party.
rival — adjective
1. describing a person, group, or thing that is competing against another — for exa
describing a person, group, or thing that is competing against another — for example, one sports team facing a different team in a final match, or two companies trying to win the same customers
The two rival teams met in the championship final last Saturday.
attributive use: rival team (only before a noun)
Rival companies often try to attract the same talented workers with higher salaries.
Rival political parties held three debates on national television before the election.
Security guards were posted between the rival fan groups during the match.
- allied
working together rather than against each other
- cooperating
acting jointly rather than in competition
文法句型
rival [noun]
rival [noun]s
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). You can say 'the rival teams' but NOT 'the teams are rival.' Use 'the teams are rivals' (noun) or 'the teams are competing against each other' instead.
常見錯誤
❗ 'The two companies are rival.' ✅ 'The two companies are rivals.' (noun) OR ✅ 'The two rival companies are competing for customers.' (adjective before noun)