face-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈfās-ˌȯf 

1

: a method of beginning play (as in hockey or lacrosse) in which two opponents face each other and attempt to gain control of a puck or ball dropped or placed between them

2

: confrontation

face off

2 of 2

verb

faced off; facing off; faces off

intransitive verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition

politicians facing off against each other in a televised debate

Synonyms of face-off

Noun

• rivalry
• battle
• duel
• competition
• confrontation
• struggle
• warfare
• contest
• conflict

Verb

• compete
• contend
• race

Examples of face-off in a Sentence

Noun

the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges

Verb

eager to face off with her longtime tennis rival

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For national tournaments, the corollary is how poorer countries always have to match up against richer ones for regional face-offs and qualifiers that culminate in the quadrennial dream that is the World Cup. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Though the final game in which Spain triumphed over Argentina took place on Sunday, the Beckham family had a major reason to support England in its third-place face-off against France on Saturday. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

Verb

Anyone looking for a last-minute ticket to see Lionel Messi and Argentina face off against Lamine Yamal and Spain in the World Cup final should be ready to dig deep into the wallet for the credit card with the biggest balance possible. — ABC News, 18 July 2026

As Argentina and Spain prepare to face off for the championship title this Sunday, supporters on both sides are going through it. — Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for face-off

• cerenkov
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff

Kids Definition

face-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈfā-ˌsȯf

1

: a method of putting a puck in play in ice hockey by dropping it between two opposing players

2

: a meeting of opposing forces : confrontation

face off

2 of 2 verb

: to be in or come into opposition or competition

politicians facing off each other in a debate