mismatch

[mis-mach, mis-mach]

verb (used with object)

1. to match badly or unsuitably.

noun

1. a bad or unsatisfactory match.

mismatch

/ ˌmɪsˈmætʃ /

verb

1. to match badly, esp in marriage

noun

1. a bad or inappropriate match

Word History and Origins

Origin of mismatch¹

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

Example Sentences

Stanford Medicine scientists report that giving mice both blood-forming stem cells and pancreatic islet cells from an immunologically mismatched donor either completely prevented or fully reversed Type 1 diabetes.

Read more on Science Daily

“It looks like a bit of a mismatch between the seasonal flu vaccine strains” and the new subvariant, Hudson said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Joshua meets YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul - in what is, on paper, a mammoth mismatch - at Miami's Kaseya Center on 19 December.

Read more on BBC

Despite criticism that the bout is a mismatch designed to deliver Joshua, 35, an easy payday, Hearn insists his fighter remains focused on long-term plans.

Read more on BBC

This has created a skills mismatch in the labor market.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• discrepancy 
• imbalance