one-on-one

adjective or adverb

ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən How to pronounce one-on-one (audio)
ˌwən-än-
Synonyms of one-on-onenext
1
: playing directly against a single opposing player
2
: involving a direct encounter between one person and another

Synonyms of one-on-one

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jacquet profiles as a front-footed, aggressive defender, strong one-on-one, and comfortable on the ball. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026 Mercury conjoins Jupiter in Leo and your 7th House of Relationships, Contracts, and Close Agreements, expanding dialogue with partners, clients, collaborators, or important one-on-one connections. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 The others are 6-7 and 6-5, so imagine the little brother in the front yard doing the Oklahoma drill, a legendary one-on-one football drill from years ago that tested toughness via collisions. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Her one-on-one scenes with Tom Holland’s Telemachus and Robert Pattinson’s Antinous leave no doubt about Penelope’s quiet authority. — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for one-on-one

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-on-one was in 1940

Rhymes for one-on-one

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Browse Nearby Words

one-one
one-on-one
one or the other
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Cite this Entry

“One-on-one.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-on-one. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on one-on-one

Nglish: Translation of one-on-one for Spanish Speakers

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