one-on-one

adjective or adverb

ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən 

ˌwən-än-

1

: playing directly against a single opposing player

2

: involving a direct encounter between one person and another

Synonyms of one-on-one

• face-to-face
• head-to-head
• toe-to-toe
• head-on
• eyeball-to-eyeball

Examples of one-on-one in a Sentence

bragged that no one could go one-on-one with her in a game of darts and win

Recent Examples on the Web

About 30 seconds later, Hicks rose up again, this time deflecting a shot of a one-on-one with UMD’s Aaron Pionk. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026

The project is seeking funds at the forum, where filmmakers will have opportunities for one-on-one meetings with investors, festival organizers and industry professionals. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026

Both are key Officer Agents within Baroque Works, and their presence signals the season will feature the full gauntlet of one-on-one battles that define the arc’s climax in the manga. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026

Megan’s efforts in class have also afforded her the opportunities to aid me in demonstrations and work one-on-one with beginning and STEPS students. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-on-one

• hydrocodone
• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• overrun
• povidone
• trazodone
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun