rivalità

rivalry

noun ree-vah-lee-TAH Rare

Origin: From Latin rivalitas, from rivalis (sharing the same stream), hence competing.

Usage Note

Rivalità is invariable in the plural — le rivalità keeps its final -à, following the rule for all nouns ending in a stressed vowel. It commonly collocates with accesa (fierce) or storica (historic): una rivalità accesa (a fierce rivalry). In sports it frequently refers to derby rivalries, a deeply felt phenomenon in Italian football.

Examples

"La rivalità tra le due squadre è storica."

Natural Translation

The rivalry between the two teams is historic.

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