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

Noun

• ball game
• battle
• combat
• competition
• conflict
• confrontation
• contention
• contest
• dogfight
• duel
• grapple
• match
• rivalry
• strife
• struggle
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tug-of-war
• war
• warfare

Verb

• battle
• compete
• contend
• fight
• race
• rival
• vie

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

Inside John Krasinski and Eiza González's 'Fountain of Youth' Vienna library face-off John Krasinski's hottest roles: 'The Office,' 'Jack Ryan,' more On the bright side, Krasinski had the chance to field advice from the movie's stunt team, who offered a surprising solution to his locked legs. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 May 2025

But while more non-postseason games await these two teams, some are already imagining the thrill – and benefits – of a Fall Classic face-off. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 May 2025

Verb

The two faced off for the second time in April 2019 at UFC 236. —Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Indiana will face off against the Dream once again, this time in Atlanta, on Thursday night. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1889, 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