one-to-one

[wuhn-tuh-wuhn]

adjective

1. Also (of the relationship between two or more groups of things) corresponding element by element.

2. one-on-one.

one-to-one

adjective

1. (of two or more things) corresponding exactly

2. denoting a relationship or encounter in which someone is involved with only one other person

   one-to-one tuition

3. maths characterized by or involving the pairing of each member of one set with only one member of another set, without remainder

noun

1. a conversation, encounter, or relationship between two people

Word History and Origins

Origin of one-to-one¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The 16-year-old was supposed to receive one-to-one care, but an inquest was told the Oxevision alert system, linked with her bedroom, was muted and she was left alone for 28 minutes.

Read more on BBC

"We were all prepared for September… and he's still not at school, he's still having one-to-one," she said.

Read more on BBC

Describing her Jewish neighbours as "well-mannered", Safoora said she had not had "many one-to-one interactions" with them.

Read more on BBC

During her stay, Molly required one-to-one observation to prevent her from exercising excessively.

Read more on BBC

When he was in school, Eoin had someone look after him on a one-to-one basis.

Read more on BBC