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

Now, in a new head-to-head clinical study of the three diets, researchers found that people with obesity who lost weight on the keto diet saw better metabolic outcomes than their peers who lost a similar amount of weight on another diet. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 27 Aug. 2026

And, if teams are tied, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head record. — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

The head-to-head series between Gauff and Pegula is now tied at five apiece. — Jeff Wallner, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Misiorowski pitched six shutout innings Friday in his first head-to-head matchup with Sale, who allowed two runs over six innings. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 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