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.

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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

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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

Verhoeven, 37, called for a rematch and an apology from officials after the heavyweight world title bout in Egypt on 23 May was controversially stopped in the 11th round.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Senegal on June 16 is a rematch of one of the tournament’s biggest upsets of all time.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

The tournament will kick off with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City on June 11, a rematch of the 2010 opener in Johannesburg, which was played on the same date 16 years earlier.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026

The Trojans wasted no time jumping on the Bobcats in the rematch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

The only thing better about the rematch was that hardly anyone I knew was there to see it; I was particularly grateful for Reginald’s absence.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

With the NFL’s conference championship games set — the Rams at Seattle following New England at Denver — three of the four possible Super Bowl permutations are rematches.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 19, 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

This postseason features two rising-star rookie quarterbacks, at least two Week 1 rematches and one big phew.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 5, 2025

Lewis competed in three key rematches in his career.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2024

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