duel Definition
- 1a formal fight between two people, usually using guns or swords, arranged to settle a quarrel or a point of honor
- 2a contest between two parties or individuals
Using duel: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "duel" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The two men fought a duel over the woman they both loved.
Example
The political candidates engaged in a verbal duel during the debate.
Example
The chess match turned into a duel of wits between the two grandmasters.
duel Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using duel
Example
The two teams will have to duel it out on the field to see who advances to the championship game.
Example
The two politicians engaged in a fierce duel of words during the televised debate.
Example
The upcoming election is being billed as a duel of titans between the incumbent and the challenger.
Phrases with duel
Example
The two knights agreed to a duel to the death to settle their dispute.
Example
The young officer challenged his superior to a duel of honor after being accused of cowardice.
Example
The two men agreed to a pistol duel at dawn to settle their disagreement.
Origins of duel
from Latin 'duellum', meaning 'war'
Summary: duel in Brief
A 'duel' [djuːəl] is a formal fight between two people, often with guns or swords, arranged to settle a quarrel or point of honor. It can also refer to a contest or competition between two parties or individuals. Examples include 'The two men fought a duel over the woman they both loved,' and 'The chess match turned into a duel of wits between the two grandmasters.' Phrases like 'duel to the death' and 'duel of honor' denote high-stakes situations, while idioms like 'duel it out' and 'duel of words' suggest heated arguments or debates.