Rival/ˈraɪvl/ Definition 1 of 4Pro Tip 1/2Market Competition Use 'rival' to discuss competition where businesses directly challenge each other. Samsung is a well-known rival of Apple in the smartphone market. Pro Tip 2/2Personal Ambition 'Rival' can imply a personal drive to meet or exceed someone's achievements. As a runner, she saw her teammate as a friendly rival.