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

In the finale, the last two contestants face a head-to-head escape where only one can win. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

UConn’s offensive play caller and head coach will be going head-to-head with his former Toledo defensive coordinator on Saturday. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Burrow has also beaten Lawrence in both of their head-to-head matchups in the NFL. — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

An impromptu panel of thousands of judges online watched more than 120 music videos over six rounds of head-to-head musical battles, spanning genres from death metal to ska mexicano. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 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