match

[ mach ]

/ mætʃ /

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See synonyms for: match / matched / matches / matching on Thesaurus.com

noun

a slender piece of wood, cardboard, or other flammable material tipped with a chemical substance that produces fire when rubbed on a rough or chemically prepared surface.

a wick, cord, or the like, prepared to burn at an even rate, used to fire cannon, gunpowder, etc.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of match

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English meccche, macche “wick,” from Middle French meiche, Old French me(s)che, from unattested Vulgar Latin mesca “lamp wick,” variant of Latin myxa, from Greek mýxa “mucus, nostril, nozzle of a lamp”

Words nearby match

Matanuska, Matanzas, Matapan, Mataró, matata, match, matcha, matchboard, matchboarding, matchbook, matchbox

Other definitions for match (2 of 2)

match²

[ mach ]

/ mætʃ /

noun

a person or thing that equals or resembles another in some respect.

a person or thing able to cope with another as an equal: to meet one's match.

a person or thing that is an exact counterpart of another.

a corresponding, suitably associated, or harmonious pair: The blue hat and green scarf were not a good match.

Sports.

a game or contest in which two or more contestants or teams oppose each other: a soccer match.
a contest consisting of a specific number of sets: a tennis match.

any contest or competition that resembles a sports match: a shouting match.

a person considered with regard to suitability as a partner in marriage: a good match.

a matrimonial union; marriage: Neither family approved of the match.

verb (used with object)

to equal; be equal to: My talent does not match his.

to be the match or counterpart of; harmonize with: The skirt matches the jacket perfectly.

to cause to correspond; adapt: to match one's actions to one's beliefs.

to fit together, as two things: to match the pieces of a puzzle.

to fit (boards) together, side by side or end to end, with a tongue-and-groove or rabbeted joint.

to procure or produce an equal to: Try though we did, we could not match our first success.

to place in opposition or conflict: I matched my wits against his strength.

to provide with an adversary or competitor of equal power: The teams were well matched.

to encounter as an adversary with equal power.

to prove a match for.

to unite in marriage; procure a matrimonial alliance for.

to toss (coins) into the air and then compare the matching or contrasting sides that land facing up, as for determining the winner of a bet.

to match coins with.

verb (used without object)

to be equal or suitable: Our talents match.

to correspond; be of corresponding size, shape, color, pattern, etc.: These gloves do not match.

Archaic. to ally oneself in marriage.

OTHER WORDS FOR match

1 dead ringer, doppelgänger, double, image, likeness, look-alike, picture, spit and image, twin; carbon copy, clone, copy, duplicate, facsimile, replica.

2 coequal, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival.

3 companion, fellow, half, mate.

5 game; bout, competition, contest.

See synonyms for match on Thesaurus.com

Origin of match

First recorded before 900; Middle English ma(c)che, me(c)che “husband, wife, mate, equal,” Old English gemæcca, gemecca “mate, fellow, consort”

OTHER WORDS FROM match

match·a·ble, adjectivematcher, nounun·match·a·ble, adjectiveun·matched, adjective

un·match·ing, adjectivewell-matched, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use match in a sentence

String your bow, see how it bends, unstring it, and do some tiller work—the process of carving the belly of the bow to make the bending limbs match.
This essential survival tool can save your life 10 different ways|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Partial match domains refer to when your domain name has partially included the main keyword that you are trying to rank for.
Partial match domains in 2020: How to optimize and use effectively|Tudor Lodge Consultants|September 14, 2020|Search Engine Watch
After all, there is no perfect match within an activity data set.
Smart Watches Could Do More For Wheelchair Users|John Loeppky|September 4, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
I am embarrassed that I just have returned from weapons and war, not good enough to be a match for you.
The history of Mulan, from a 6th-century ballad to the live-action Disney movie|Constance Grady|September 4, 2020|Vox

By the time Tinder announced the second season of “Swipe Night” in February, Tinder said millions of users had tuned into the series and matches and conversations had increased by 26% and 12%, respectively.
Tinder’s interactive video event ‘Swipe Night’ will launch in international markets this month|Catherine Shu|September 4, 2020|TechCrunch
Part of the problem is the mandate of the war and the means with which the U.S. is fighting it do not match up.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We can also begin to plan our wardrobes to match our new and improved selves.
What, and Who, You'll Be Wearing in 2015|Justin Jones|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When he is awarded Player of the Match while competing for India in England, he is given champagne at the ceremony.
The Story of the World’s Greatest Cricket Player|William O’Connor|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The trouble is, Pakistan kept losing its wars with India and is indeed no match for India.
CIA Agents Assess: How Real Is ‘Homeland’?|Chuck Cogan, John MacGaffin|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A season of Game of Thrones tells its story over ten hours, and only a video game adaptation could match or exceed that.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat|Alec Kubas-Meyer|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Little did Tressan dream to what a cask of gunpowder he was applying the match of his smug pertness.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
A cricket-match was in progress, but the bowling and batting were extremely wild, thanks to The Warren strong beer.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
"He's been counting the days till you got home, Mark," said Tim, holding a burning match over my pipe.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
And Jimmy, although there is not much money in the family—about twenty thousand a year—would be a very good match.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
It was deep twilight in the room, and rather cold, for the eucalyptus and olive logs in the fireplace still awaited the match.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson

British Dictionary definitions for match (1 of 2)

match¹

/ (mætʃ) /

noun

a formal game or sports event in which people, teams, etc, compete to win

a person or thing able to provide competition for anothershe's met her match in talking ability

a person or thing that resembles, harmonizes with, or is equivalent to another in a specified respectthat coat is a good match for your hat

a person or thing that is an exact copy or equal of another

a partnership between a man and a woman, as in marriage
an arrangement for such a partnership

a person regarded as a possible partner, as in marriage

verb (mainly tr)

to fit (parts) togetherto match the tongue and groove of boards

(also intr sometimes foll by up) to resemble, harmonize with, correspond to, or equal (one another or something else)the skirt matches your shoes well

(sometimes foll by with or against) to compare in order to determine which is the superiorthey matched wits

(often foll by to or with) to adapt so as to correspond withto match hope with reality

(often foll by with or against) to arrange a competition between

to find a match for

electronics to connect (two circuits) so that their impedances are equal or are equalized by a coupling device, to produce a maximum transfer of energy

Derived forms of match

matchable, adjectivematcher, nounmatching, adjective

Word Origin for match

Old English gemæcca spouse; related to Old High German gimmaha wife, Old Norse maki mate

British Dictionary definitions for match (2 of 2)

match²

/ (mætʃ) /

noun

a thin strip of wood or cardboard tipped with a chemical that ignites by friction when rubbed on a rough surface or a surface coated with a suitable chemicalSee safety match

a length of cord or wick impregnated with a chemical so that it burns slowly. It is used to fire cannons, explosives, etc

Word Origin for match

C14: from Old French meiche, perhaps from Latin myxa wick, from Greek muxa lamp nozzle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with match

match

see meet one's match; mix and match; whole ball of wax (shooting match).

match

Origin of match

Words nearby match

Other definitions for match (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FOR match

Origin of match

OTHER WORDS FROM match

Words related to match

How to use match in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for match (1 of 2)

Derived forms of match

Word Origin for match

British Dictionary definitions for match (2 of 2)

Word Origin for match

Other Idioms and Phrases with match