rivalries
|ri-val-ries|
🇺🇸
/ˈraɪvəlriz/
🇬🇧
/ˈraɪvəlriːz/
(rivalry)
competition
Etymology
'rivalry' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'rivālis', where 'rīvus' meant 'stream' or 'brook'.
'rivalry' changed from the Latin word 'rivālis' to Medieval/Old French forms (e.g. 'rival', 'rivale') and entered English as 'rival' with the noun-forming suffix '-ry' producing 'rivalry' in early modern English.
Initially it referred to someone sharing the same stream ('one using the same stream'), but over time it evolved into the modern meaning of 'competition or antagonism between rivals'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
competitive relationships between people, groups, or organizations; ongoing competition.
Long-standing rivalries between the two universities attract large crowds to the annual game.
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Noun 2
hostile or adversarial relationships (often long-term) between individuals or groups; feuds or enmities.
Family rivalries often resurface at important events and can be difficult to resolve.
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Last updated: 2025/09/30 08:25