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

There are 16 head-to-head matchups Sunday at Sonoma, with the highest finisher advancing to the next round. — ABC News, 27 June 2026

Sinner leads the head-to-head 6-5. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

Acuff will go head-to-head with top-10 picks at the California Classic, which will be held July 4-6 in Sacramento, and the NBA Summer League, which will be held July 9-19 in Las Vegas. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

The head-to-head races are a change from how skateboarders normally compete — by doing their best tricks. — Miami Herald, 25 June 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