rematch

American  

[ree-mach, ree-mach, ree-mach] / riˈmætʃ, ˈriˌmætʃ, ˈriˌmætʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to match again; duplicate.

   an attempt to rematch a shade of green paint.

2. to schedule a second match for or between.

   to rematch the winners in each soccer league.

---

noun

• rematches
  plural

1. a second match between teams, challengers, etc.; return match.

rematch British  

noun

1. sport a second or return match between contestants

---

verb

1. (tr) to match (two contestants) again

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• rematches
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of rematch

First recorded in 1855–60; re- + match ²

---

Explanation

After a tie or an unsatisfactory result in a game or competition, people might call for a rematch to play again and settle the score. A rematch is a second game or competition between opponents who competed against each other before. Rematches are common in sports and in competitive games like chess, especially when the first outcome was close or controversial. For example, if a chess game ends in a draw — in which neither player wins — the players might agree to a rematch to determine a winner. Rematches add excitement and anticipation as competitors get another chance to prove themselves against a challenging opponent.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rematch rematches

The remaining schedule includes home games against Green Bay and Kansas City, a rematch at San Francisco, and two games against Seattle in the final three weeks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2026

The CGI-heavy showdown becomes tedious after a while, and the ending is ambiguous, leaving the door open for a rematch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

A Pepsi-Coke rematch took place in June, with representatives from both companies making pitches over two days at Yum’s headquarters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2026

A rematch would offer another enormous payday, particularly if the first encounter is close or controversial, but a one-sided defeat could push the loser towards retirement.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

“I know you’re looking for me. You want t’see me so badly that you’ve been wandering through Alta’s bars for over an hour. What do you want? A rematch or something?”

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Broaden the search to state and local contests and there are 474 electoral rematches nationwide -- proving that in American politics, as in Hollywood, there is rarely any objection to a sequel.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

As he has done in all previous rematches – against Fury and Joshua – Usyk used the data he had downloaded from the first encounter to his advantage.

From BBC ● Jul. 19, 2025

The league phase featured rematches of four of the last five Champions League finals with Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice saying: "Usually, you find these games in the quarter-finals or semi-finals."

From BBC ● May 31, 2025

The Rams are looking to avenge a regular-season loss to the Eagles, while the Ravens-Bills and Chiefs-Texans contests are also rematches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2025

As it turns out, the data show that the 7-7 wrestlers win only 40 percent of the rematches.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---