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

With stars, form, and strategic geniuses on both sides, today's face-off is promising to be a game for the ages. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026

Despite pledging to participate in multiple debates, Becerra brushed aside several invitations, agreeing to just a solitary one-hour face-off against Hilton on CNN in late September. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

Sullivan and Peltola have already faced off this year, but Thursday's debate was widely seen as the most significant for the general electorate. — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

There, Joe D’Urso cocktail tables face off with an altar-like console. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 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