Meaning
opponent, rival
- opponent, rival, adversary
In a sentence
Il mio avversario corre più veloce di me.
My opponent runs faster than me.
Hai già visto il nostro avversario di domani?
Have you already seen our opponent for tomorrow?
Non sottovalutare l'avversario, anche se sembra stanco.
Don't underestimate the opponent, even if he seems tired.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| avversario | masculine · singular |
| avversari | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Common in sports, politics, and debate. For a personal enemy, nemico is usually stronger and more emotional.
- Often followed by di: avversario di squadra, avversario politico. In direct competition, contro is used with the verb, not the noun.
- More neutral and formal than rivale. Rivale suggests ongoing competition; avversario can be just the other side in one match or conflict.