rematch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, with strong leaning towards informal/sporting use.
Quick answer
What does “rematch” mean?
A second or subsequent contest, fight, or game played between the same opponents.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A second or subsequent contest, fight, or game played between the same opponents.
A second attempt or confrontation, often to settle an unresolved result or rivalry, extended metaphorically to non-sporting contexts like debates or business negotiations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Slightly more common in American sports media, but widely used in both varieties.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of anticipation, rivalry, and a chance for reversal or confirmation of a previous result.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in both varieties within sporting contexts. Rare in general formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “rematch” in a Sentence
They will rematch next month.The champion has agreed to a rematch.They demanded a rematch.The fight is a rematch of last year's final.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rematch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The teams are scheduled to rematch at Wembley next spring.
- I'll rematch you at snooker if you like.
American English
- The boxers will rematch in Las Vegas this fall.
- We should rematch after I practice more.
adjective
British English
- This is a rematch fixture.
- A rematch bout has been confirmed.
American English
- They signed a rematch clause in the contract.
- The rematch fight sold out in hours.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for a second round of negotiations or a renewed bid for a contract. 'After losing the tender, they sought a rematch with revised terms.'
Academic
Very rare. Possibly in historical or political analysis of repeated conflicts or debates.
Everyday
Common in discussions about sports, games (board/video), and competitive hobbies. 'Let's have a rematch at chess this weekend.'
Technical
Used in sports science, event management, and broadcasting contexts to schedule and promote events.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rematch”
- Using as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'They demanded rematch'). Missing article: should be 'a rematch'. Overusing in non-competitive contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common in sports, it can be used metaphorically for any repeated contest or confrontation, such as in debates, elections, or legal battles.
'Rematch' refers to playing the game/contest again. 'Replay' (noun) often means a recording of the event or, in some sports like football, an additional period of play or a second match ordered by officials. They are not always interchangeable.
Yes, but it is less common than the noun form and is considered informal. For example, 'They will rematch in the finals.'
The standard modern spelling is without a hyphen: 'rematch'. The hyphenated form is considered archaic.
A second or subsequent contest, fight, or game played between the same opponents.
Rematch is usually neutral, with strong leaning towards informal/sporting use. in register.
Rematch: in British English it is pronounced /ˈriː.mætʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈriː.mætʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “They are gunning for a rematch.”
- “The rematch is on.”
- “A chance to settle the score in the rematch.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-do the MATCH. It's the match again.
Conceptual Metaphor
SETTLING A SCORE (as in a debt or argument), A SECOND CHANCE, REPLAYING A SCENE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'rematch' LEAST appropriate?