# rivalry

/ˈɹaɪvəɫɹi/ (US) · /ɹˈaɪvəlɹi/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. ongoing competition

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The intense rivalry between the two local football teams has lasted for decades.
- The sibling rivalry between the two brothers eventually evolved into a productive professional partnership as they grew older.

### 2. economic consumption

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- The intense rivalry between the two football teams lasts for decades.
- In the smartphone market, the rivalry between the two leading brands drives constant innovation and lower prices for consumers.
- While healthy rivalry can stimulate economic growth and efficiency, extreme market dominance by two players may lead to aggressive tactics that eventually stifle smaller competitors.

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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.