The definition of a rival is someone who competes with you in some way, or can equal or surpass another.
(noun)Rival means to compete.
(verb)When you compete with someone to win first prize, this is an example of a situation where you rival that person.
See rival in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
Origin: Fr < L rivalis, orig., one living near or using the same stream as another < rivus, brook < IE *reie-, to flow < base *er-: see rise
adjective
transitive verb rivaled or rivalled, rivaling or rivalling
intransitive verb
See rival in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Origin:
Origin: Latin rīvālis, one using the same stream as another, a rival
Origin: , from rīvus, stream; see rei- in Indo-European roots
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