rivals
- 1Plural of rival.
The longtime rivals finally shook hands after the match.
Several rivals competed fiercely for the same contract.
Note
The plural carries both living meanings of the noun. One is competitors chasing the same goal; the other is things whose claims to quality stand side by side. A third meaning, partners who share a common right, is now obsolete. The same spelling also serves the present-tense verb, so a phrase like "the firm rivals" needs context. It could mean the firm's competitors or begin a sentence where the firm matches someone.
- 2Third-person singular simple present indicative of rival.
The young challenger now rivals the reigning champion in technical skill.
Her latest novel rivals her earlier bestsellers in sheer popularity.
Note
As a verb it takes its object directly: a challenger rivals the champion and does not "rival with" him. Two meanings share the form. One is to compete against someone; the other is to match or even surpass them, which is the meaning at work when one book or performance is set beside another. A third meaning, striving to equal or emulate, sits close to that second one.
Showing meanings only.
rivals is a form of rival
rival, noun: A competitor who shares another's goal or strives for the same thing, and whose defeat may be a key aim of the other. Full entry
- Forms
- rivalrivals plural
- Spelling
- rival → rivals: add -s
- Sound
- The ending sounds like /z/.
Use it in a sentence
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