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

Explanation

When two things (or people) don't work well together or correspond with each other, it's a mismatch. If there's a mismatch between the amount of free time you have and the hours of exercise your puppy needs, you might want to hire a dog walker. There might be a mismatch between workers' skills and the actual jobs that are available, or a mismatch between your aunt and uncle, who seem totally unsuited for each other. Mismatch is also a verb that means "match up badly," like when you mismatch your red shirt with your purple pants. Sometimes sports matches or games are called mismatches too, when one team is clearly superior to the other.

Example Sentences

The mismatch caused by the later timing of the holidays shortened the revenue recognition window in 1Q, they note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

When confidence falters, that mismatch can turn manageable losses into systemic crises.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

This mismatch is known as the Hubble tension, and it has appeared repeatedly across independent studies.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

The first leg was a clear mismatch but Slot and his players still have a chance to take the lessons learned and put things right in next Tuesday's second leg at Anfield.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

That’s because the opening phrase, at the age often, is attached to my father—an obvious mismatch.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• discrepancy
• imbalance