# duel

/ˈduəɫ/ (US) · /djˈuːəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/duel
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. formal combat

noun · CEFR B2 · Archaic

a formal fight between two people using weapons like swords or pistols, usually to settle an argument about honour.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. a struggle between two sides

noun · CEFR B2

any competition or struggle between two people, teams, or ideas.

For teachers: a contest or struggle between two opposing parties, forces, or entities.

- 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.

### 3. to fight or compete

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to take part in a formal fight or a tough competition against one other person.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The two knights agreed to a duel at dawn.
- The championship final turned into a psychological duel between the two veteran chess players.
- While the historical duel was a ritualised affair governed by strict codes of conduct, the term now serves as a metaphor for any intense binary confrontation in politics or sport.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.