one-to-one

adjective

ˌwən-tə-ˈwən 

-də-

1

: pairing each element of a set uniquely with an element of another set

2

: one-on-one sense 2

Examples of one-to-one in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The books might not be a one-to-one, but Phillips wrote about the high life around him as his own family finances floundered in the shadow of the Great Depression. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

In New York, students through second grade will—officially, at least—have no one-to-one time with devices; students between third and fifth grade will be limited to thirty minutes per day; and middle schoolers will be capped at forty-five minutes. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026

City Council members are also looking into one-to-one devices given to younger students and whether some testing should go back to pencil and paper. — Alice Gainer, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Even if Riley-for-Jeanty isn’t a one-to-one swap, Madsen’s improvement over the two years makes up the difference. — Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for one-to-one

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

Kids Definition

one-to-one

adjective

ˌwən-tə-ˈwən

: pairing each element of a set with one and only one element of another set

a one-to-one correspondence between the real numbers and the points on a straight line