“My enemy beat me at chess.”
Usage Entry 1383 / 1605 60-second read
Rival vs. Enemy
A competitor for the same prize versus someone actively hostile.
The comparisoni
“My rival beat me at chess — rivals compete; enemies hate. Most sports opponents are rivals, not enemies.”
The ruleii
¶
RIVAL = competes. ENEMY = hates.
RIVAL comes from Latin RIVALIS — those who shared a stream (RIVUS) and competed for water. Implies competition without active hostility. ENEMY (Latin INIMICUS, "not friend") implies active opposition. You can respect a rival; you fight an enemy.
Memory aidiii
Remember it like this
Rivals share a goal. Enemies don't.