head-to-head

adverb or adjective

ˈhed-tə-ˈhed 

: in a direct confrontation or encounter usually between individuals

teams competing head-to-head for the championship

Synonyms of head-to-head

• toe-to-toe
• one-on-one
• face-to-face
• head-on

Examples of head-to-head in a Sentence

it's fitting that the two best teams during the regular season will go head-to-head for the championship

Recent Examples on the Web

South Florida Sun Sentinel columnist Chris Perkins is joined by Dave Hyde and David Furones to go head-to-head over the ups and downs of the Miami Dolphins in their live show, now available as a free podcast. —Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026

Each quadrant’s winner will face off on Friday, before the final head-to-head on Monday, April 20th to crown our winner. —Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026

Each chef on each team will make a dish featuring one cut of meat (shoulder, loin, belly, ham, and chopped), and their dishes will be presented head-to-head to the judges and to dozens of pitmasters. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026

Sinner trimmed Alcaraz’s head-to-head lead to 10-7 in clinching his 27th career title overall and his first Masters title on clay. —ABC News, 12 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for head-to-head

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead