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

If Texas and Houston finish tied, then Houston advances based on a 9-4 head-to-head record against the Rangers this season. — Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026

Houston holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas, so the AL West champion won't be decided until Sunday. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026

Trump posted to Truth Social ahead of his and Xi’s head-to-head. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Oregon coach Dan Lanning has bested Riley in both of their head-to-head meetings, too. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 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