ri|val

ri|val «RY vuhl», noun, adjective, verb, -valed, -val|ing or (especially British) -valled, -val|ling.

–n.

1. a person who wants and tries to get the same thing as another, or who tries to equal or do better than another: »

The two boys were rivals for the same class office. They were also rivals in sports.

»

There were no rivals: I had no competitor, none to dispute sovereignty or command with me (Daniel Defoe).

SYNONYM(S): competitor, contestant, antagonist.

2. a thing that will bear comparison with something else; equal; match.

3. Obsolete. a colleague; associate.

–adj.

wanting the same thing as another; trying to outdo or equal another; being a rival: »

A rival store tried to get our grocer's trade.

SYNONYM(S): competing.

–v.t.

1. to try to equal or outdo; compete with: »

The stores rival each other in beautiful window displays.

2. to equal; match: »

The sunset rivaled the sunrise in beauty. He soon rivaled the others in skill.

–v.i.

to engage in rivalry; compete.

╂[< Latin rīvālis one who uses the same stream < rīvus stream]

–ri´val|less, adjective.