match

[ 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.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!

Question 1 of 7

weal

well-being, prosperity, or happiness.

the intervening time.

a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of match

before 900; Middle English macche, Old English gemæcca mate, fellow

OTHER WORDS FROM match

match·a·ble, adjectivematch·er, nounun·match·a·ble, adjectiveun·matched, adjective

un·match·ing, adjectivewell-matched, adjective

Words nearby match

matanzas, matapan, mataró, matas operation, matata, match, match plate, match play, match point, match-fit, match-funding

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for matcher

One matcher hanger is moved by the screw e, the other by e′.
Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II|Joshua Rose
An index at the rear of the machine enables the operator to set the matcher heads to any desired width.
Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II|Joshua Rose
Madame Mathieu was the matcher of precious stones to whom we have before referred.
The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 4 of 6|Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for matcher (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 matcher (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

Idioms and Phrases with matcher

match

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

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WORD OF THE DAY

match

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Origin of match

OTHER WORDS FROM match

Words nearby match

Example sentences from the Web for matcher

British Dictionary definitions for matcher (1 of 2)

noun

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of match

Word Origin for match

British Dictionary definitions for matcher (2 of 2)

noun

Word Origin for match

Idioms and Phrases with matcher