head-to-head

American  

[hed-tuh-hed] / ˈhɛd təˈhɛd /

adjective

1. in direct confrontation, opposition, or competition.

   a head-to-head battle between the two companies.

---

head-to-head British  

adjective

1. in direct competition

---

noun

1. a competition involving two people, teams, etc

Etymology

Origin of head-to-head

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

head-to-head

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp confirmed on Thursday that from 2028 the Tour Championship will be played across two weeks, at two different courses, and adopt a head-to-head format.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The National League MVP race transformed into a head-to-head showdown between the frontrunners at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, as the Dodgers fell to the Cubs 7-6.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

And in a head-to-head trial designed by Lilly, Zepbound also came out on top.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Tavern Research, which previously had Stevens up by a point in a head-to-head poll, now shows El-Sayed up by 11.

From Slate ● Aug. 1, 2026

For the last twenty years, Coke has gone head-to-head with Pepsi with a product that taste tests say is inferior, and Coke is still the number one soft drink in the world.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell