one-on-one

[ wuhn-on-wuhn, -awn- ]

/ ˈwʌn ɒnˈwʌn, -ɔn- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR one-on-one ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

consisting of or involving direct individual competition, confrontation, or communication; person-to-person: a one-on-one discussion.

adverb

in direct encounter: I'd rather settle this with her one-on-one.

noun

a meeting or confrontation between two persons.

Nearby words

one-many, one-night stand, one-nighter, one-note, one-off, one-on-one, one-one, one-parent family, one-piece, one-point perspective, one-reeler

Idioms

go one-on-one with, Sports. to play directly against (an opposing player).

Origin of one-on-one

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for one-on-one

In terms of one-on-one with employees, being a mom helps me ground my roots to humanity.
Q&A With Designer Rachel Roy|Cynthia Allum|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the ball swings around to your man, they never come in one-on-one.
A Millennium After Inventing the Game, the Iroquois Are Lacrosse’s New Superpower|Evin Demirel|July 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The entourage, so out of place in the one-on-one battle arena, soon left the stage.
America’s Poets: Battle Rap Gets Real|Rich Goldstein|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If you don't botch the questionnaire, you are summoned for a one-on-one interview with Pierre.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires|Jeff Campagna|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But as far as religion goes, I feel like everyone should have their own one-on-one with God.
Ja Rule on Life in Prison, His 50 Cent Beef, New Film & Finding God|Marlow Stern|October 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for one-on-one

one-on-one

adjective

denoting a relationship or encounter in which someone is involved with only one other persona one-on-one meeting

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012