French word

duel

Pronunciation

IPA/dɥɛl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounduel

Example

Ils se sont battus en duel.

They fought a duel.

Illustration for duel (duel)

More examples

Le débat est devenu un véritable duel politique.

The debate has become a real political duel.

Core concept

A head-to-head clash narrows a larger conflict to two opposing people or sides.

Common phrases

  • un duel politique

    political duel

  • un duel verbal

    verbal duel

Similar words

combat: A direct physical fight using the body or weapons.
conflit: A prolonged struggle caused by opposing interests or opinions.
confrontation: A direct clash between opposing sides or viewpoints.
match: A sport or game played to determine a winner.

Definition in French

Affrontement entre deux personnes ou deux camps, qui peut être concret (combat) ou figuré (compétition ou confrontation)

Word origin

The French noun duel was inherited from Old French duel, ultimately from Latin duellum, meaning war or combat.

Usage tips

  • French uses duel figuratively for direct contests between candidates, teams, or rival sides, not only for armed combat.

Other meanings

  • showdownnoun

Opposites

  • ententecooperationnoun

Word lists with this word