Definition

Noun: A kitchen match is a type of wooden friction match designed to be easily ignited. Its defining characteristic is that it can be struck to create a flame on any rough or granular surface, making it particularly useful for lighting household appliances like wood-burning stoves or gas stoves.

Usage

The term kitchen match is used to refer to this specific, utilitarian type of match. It emphasizes functionality and common household use over specialized or safety matches. * She used a kitchen match to light the pilot light on the old gas oven. * Keep a box of kitchen matches near the fireplace for lighting the logs.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: The kitchen match was a common household item before the widespread use of disposable lighters and electric igniters. Its reliability on various surfaces made it a staple in many homes.
• Descriptive Use: The term can be used descriptively to imply something is basic, reliable, and unpretentious.
  • His solution wasn't fancy, but it was as effective as a kitchen match.

Variants and Related Words

• Match (n): The general term for a short, slender piece of wood or cardboard tipped with a chemical substance that ignites when struck.
• Safety match (n): A match that ignites only when struck on a specially prepared surface on its box, as opposed to a kitchen match.
• Strike-anywhere match (n): A broader, more technical term that is often synonymous with kitchen match.

Synonyms

• Strike-anywhere match
• Friction match
• Wooden match (when referring to the material, though not all wooden matches are strike-anywhere)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• (As) reliable as a kitchen match: Used to describe something that is dependably functional in a simple, straightforward way.
  • The old truck was as reliable as a kitchen match, starting every morning without fail.

Noun

1. a wooden friction match that will light on any granular surface; useful to light wood or gas stoves