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

This personalized service provides one-on-one guidance throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, helping families schedule appointments, coordinate care, find resources, and navigate insurance questions. —Memorialcare Medical Group, Oc Register, 10 Jan. 2026

Yes, James Cook led the NFL in rushing this season, but Buffalo’s receiving unit features no threat capable of consistently winning one-on-one matchups. —Mike Jones, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

Spend quality one-on-one time with them, encourage them to explore a new hobby, and celebrate their achievements. —Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026

In one of their first one-on-one meetings, Tan encouraged Johnson to text him if customers were unhappy. —Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 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