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

Wright was one-on-one with Gourdine most of the night, including for the highlight-reel touchdown grab in the third quarter. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

In August of 2017, media members throughout Southern California were invited to reserve a time for a one-on-one interview with the California Interscholastic Federation’s then-commissioner, Rob Wigod. — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026

Instead of a one-on-one lunch, why not invite him to a social gathering as part of a larger group? — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

His schemes rely almost entirely on the front four winning their one-on-one matchups. — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-on-one

• anyone
• everyone
• megaton
• overdone
• overrun
• begun
• grandson
• gudrun
• handgun
• homespun
• outdone
• outrun