English Reference
noun

rivalry

n.
US /ˈɹaɪvəɫɹi/ UK /ɹˈaɪvəlɹi/ ri·val·ry UK spelling rivalries, rivalry's

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    a long-term competition between people or groups who want the same thing or want to be better than each other.

    a state of persistent competition or antagonism between parties, often characterized by a history of mutual challenge.

    Simple

    The intense rivalry between the two local football teams has lasted for decades.

    In context

    The sibling rivalry between the two brothers eventually evolved into a productive professional partnership as they grew older.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Economics

    the quality of a product that means only one person can use it at a time.

    the property of a good whereby one person's use diminishes other people's use of it.

    Simple

    A loaf of bread has high rivalry because if I eat it, you cannot.

    In context

    Economists distinguish between public and private goods based on their levels of rivalry and excludability in a market setting.

    Usage

    Often used to distinguish 'rivalrous' goods from 'non-rivalrous' public goods like clean air.

    rivalrousness
    non rivalry

South Africa seek to level the Greatest Rivalry series in Cape Town, where the All Blacks have played their hosts 11 times since 1928, winning seven.

The Guardian· 28 Aug 2026

Here's what you should know about the trial and the bitter rivalry tied to the rapper's death.

BBC News· 18 Aug 2026

From rival + -ry.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated