Definition

A method or extra round used to determine a winner when two or more competitors have the same score or result.

Example

The match ended in a tie, so they had to play a tiebreaker to find the winner.

Conversation

Did you see the game last night?

Yeah, it was so close! I can't believe it ended in a tie.

I know, right? I was hoping for a tiebreaker to see who would win.

Same here! Those are always the most exciting moments.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Tiebreaker → It is formed from "tie" (from Old English *tīgan*, meaning to fasten or bind) and "breaker" (from "break" which comes from Old English *brecan*, meaning to separate or shatter). A tiebreaker is something that separates or resolves a tie, thus breaking the equal status of two competitors.

Memory Tip

Think of a situation where two competitors are 'bound' together ('tie') and need something to 'separate' them ('breaker') — that's what a tiebreaker does.

Visually Confused Words