matchmaker

¹

[ mach-mey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who arranges or tries to arrange marriages by introducing possible mates.
2. a person who arranges matches match for athletic contests, especially prizefights and wrestling matches. match.
3. any person, organization, etc., that brings two parties together, as to effect a sale or other transaction:

   an agent serving as a matchmaker between buyers and sellers.

matchmaker

²

[ mach-mey-ker ]

noun

1. a person who makes matches match for burning.

matchmaker

¹

/ ˈmætʃˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who brings together suitable partners for marriage
2. a person who arranges competitive matches

matchmaker

²

/ ˈmætʃˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who makes matches (for igniting)

Derived Forms

• ˈmatchˌmaking, nounadjective
• ˈmatchˌmaking, nounadjective

Other Words From

• matchmaking noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of matchmaker¹

First recorded in 1630–40; match ² + maker

Origin of matchmaker²

First recorded in 1635–45; match ¹ + maker

Example Sentences

Kathleen Marchsteiner, who has been a volunteer adoption coordinator for City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties in Washingtonfor two years, is one of many such matchmakers.

From Washington Post

As he recovered, he decided to take dating more seriously, even hiring a matchmaker.

From Time

Martin Luther had just helped 12 nuns escape their Catholic cloister, even playing matchmaker by setting them up with eligible bachelors.

From Ozy

We’ll be welcoming the other investors, playing matchmaker and introducing them to each other as well as the sponsors.

From Washington Blade

She refers to it as getting to play a mathematical matchmaker in her own version of The Bachelor.

From Science News For Students

And for K. Aleisha Fetters, seeing shows like Millionaire Matchmaker initially made her hesitant.

From The Daily Beast

The minister of Justice is supposed to be the watchdog of the law, not a matchmaker for the yakuza.

From The Daily Beast

Every matchmaker contacted admitted to female, and male, clients bringing up the sexually explicit S&M-themed novel.

From The Daily Beast

It was as if he was echoing the advice given to many-a-young-bride by the village matchmaker.

From The Daily Beast

Small things, such as Taylor Swift or watching Millionaire Matchmaker, or Amy Grant.

From The Daily Beast

The humiliated matchmaker sent Josiah up to the grocery store on an errand, and then dragged his friend inside and shut the door.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is a very good project, but I am no matchmaker," said the old lady.

From Project Gutenberg

At the end of three months, during which Margery's dbut had come and gone, the wistful matchmaker was frankly in despair.

From Project Gutenberg

The old pastor's red face glowed redder, yet with pleasurable anticipation; he was a born matchmaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Apparently a sort of master of the ceremonies at Finnish weddings, corresponding to the Russian svat, or matchmaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arbitrator
• emissary
• intermediary
• liaison
• mediator
• messenger
• negotiator
• proxy