Word
duel
Phoneticsdu·el, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈduəɫ/
UK/djˈuːəl/
US spelling · dueled, dueling
Definitions
01formal combat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Archaic
n. a formal fight between two people using weapons like swords or pistols, usually to settle an argument about honour.
n. a prearranged combat between two individuals, typically conducted with lethal weapons according to a formal code of honour.
“In the old story, the two men fought a duel at dawn to defend their family names.”
“The aristocrat challenged his rival to a duel after a public insult, though such combat was already strictly forbidden by royal decree.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'fight' or 'challenge someone to'.
02a struggle between two sides
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. any competition or struggle between two people, teams, or ideas.
n. a contest or struggle between two opposing parties, forces, or entities.
Español:duelo
“The tennis match became a tense duel between the two best players in the world.”
“The election evolved into a bitter ideological duel between the conservative incumbent and the progressive challenger.”
Teaching tip
This is the most common modern use, often found in sports or political journalism.
Antonyms
03to fight or compete
C1 · Advanced Literary
v. to take part in a formal fight or a tough competition against one other person.
v. to engage in a duel or a competitive struggle against a single opponent.
“The two master chefs will duel in the kitchen to see who makes the best dish.”
“The two lawyers continued to duel over the interpretation of the contract for several hours, neither willing to concede a single point.”
Real-World Examples
“Matthews won the sprint duel for second place, 13 seconds behind McNulty.” Etymology
From Medieval Latin duellum (“fight between two men, duel”), itself from Old Latin duellum (“war, fight”), which survived in Classical Latin as a rare byform of bellum and was later reinterpreted as “duel” by unetymological association with duo (“two”). May have entered English through Middle French duel.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/duel
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0