face-off

American  

[feys-awf, -of] / ˈfeɪsˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

noun

Ice Hockey.

1. the act of facing the puck, as at the start of a game or period.

2. an open confrontation.

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face-off British  

noun

1. ice hockey the method of starting a game, in which the referee drops the puck, etc between two opposing players

2. a confrontation

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verb

1. to start play by (a face-off)

Etymology

Origin of face-off

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase face off

Explanation

A face-off is an in-person confrontation, like the face-off between rival ice hockey players or a face-off between presidential candidates on a debate stage. You can use the noun face-off whenever two people have a face-to-face showdown. You could even describe the duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr as a face-off (a deadly one, as it turned out). Rival groups or teams confronting each other is also a face-off, like the big championship face-off at the end of basketball season. This sports context is the way the word was originally used, dating from at least 1886.

Example Sentences

Bass will now face off against progressive City Council candidate Nithya Raman on the November ballot.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

The two will face off again in a June 21 runoff.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

She could face off against The Hills reality star Pratt, who holds 29,9% of the vote, or fellow Democrat, and Los Angeles city council member Nithya Raman, who is at 22.8%.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Ahead of the Michigan primary on Aug. 4, where he’s set to face off against state Rep. Erin Byrnes, D-Mich.,

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

He crossed to Anya without drying his face off, wet hand out and dripping on the wood floor.

From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack