mismatch

American  

[mis-mach, mis-mach] / mɪsˈmætʃ, ˈmɪsˌmætʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to match badly or unsuitably.

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noun

1. a bad or unsatisfactory match.

mismatch British  

/ ˌmɪsˈmætʃ /

verb

1. to match badly, esp in marriage

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noun

1. a bad or inappropriate match

Etymology

Origin of mismatch

First recorded in 1590–1600; mis- ¹ + match ²

Example Sentences

Boxing has a long history of carefully constructed mismatches.

From BBC

This has created a mismatch between what the market is producing and where the demand lies - among older listeners with greater spending power in an ageing society.

From BBC

An added benefit is that a bill-heavy portfolio would better match the Fed’s short-term liabilities, reducing the duration mismatch that has produced recent operating losses and, with them, unwanted political attention.

From Barron's

Affordability is really about a mismatch between what people earn and what they have to pay as a result of higher prices.

From Barron's

A skills mismatch is a big part of it.

From Barron's

Related Words

• discrepancy
• imbalance