one-on-one
adjective or adverb
ˌwən-ȯn-ˈwən 
ˌwən-än-
1
: playing directly against a single opposing player
2
: involving a direct encounter between one person and another
Examples of one-on-one in a Sentence
bragged that no one could go one-on-one with her in a game of darts and win
Recent Examples on the Web
The work required a highly individualized approach, with workers knocking directly on doors and making time to answer questions about vaccination one-on-one, Barbot said.
—
Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2018, a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found that just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to provide a measurable boost to the wellbeing of a shelter dog.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
This one-on-one model of neighbor to neighbor can work anywhere.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
Twelve Steps for White America is not a book for the defensive as Watson is forthright and doesn’t mince words in what feels like a one-on-one conversation with the reader.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-on-one
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
In 2018, a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science found that just 15 minutes of one-on-one petting was enough to provide a measurable boost to the wellbeing of a shelter dog.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025
This one-on-one model of neighbor to neighbor can work anywhere.
—Robert M. Hayes, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
Twelve Steps for White America is not a book for the defensive as Watson is forthright and doesn’t mince words in what feels like a one-on-one conversation with the reader.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for one-on-one
Cite this Entry
“One-on-one.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-on-one. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share