English → Latin
“rival” in Latin
aemulusstriving to equal or excel, rivaling; in a bad sense, envious, jealousrīvālisOf or pertaining to a brook.obtrectōto disparage, underrate, decry; to thwartglōriaglory, renown, fame, honorlauspraise, glory, repute; fame; approbation, commendationrēgnumroyal power, power, control, reign; kingdom, realm, throne; kingship, royaltyaemulorto endeavour to equal or excel someone, rival, vie with; emulate; copy; to equal someone by emulating; to be envious or certōto match, vie with, emulate; to fight, wrestle; to contend, compete, raceconcertōto fight or contend; to dispute or debate
The English word rival itself goes back to Latin rīvus, through rīvālis.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
rival s.
aemulus (e.g., gloriae, laudis, regni): rivalis (almost always of a rival in love): obtrectator (a political rival).
rival v.
aemulari (to emulate): certare, concertare, contendere cum aliquo (to contend with).
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for rival?
- The usual Latin words for “rival” are aemulus, rīvālis, obtrectō; also glōria, laus, rēgnum. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.