Definition

1. Noun:

   • A contest or game: A formal competition between two or more persons or teams.
   • A person or thing equal to another: A person or thing that is equal to, similar to, or harmonizes with another.
   • A marriage or potential marriage partner: A person considered as a potential spouse.
   • A small stick for producing fire: A short, thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with a combustible substance, ignited by friction.

2. Verb:

   • To be equal or correspond: To be the same as or very similar to something else; to correspond.
   • To put in competition: To bring (people or teams) together for a contest.
   • To harmonize or be suitable together: To be compatible in appearance, style, or quality.
   • To find or provide something equal: To find or provide something that corresponds to or is suitable for something else.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The tennis match was very exciting. (The tennis game was very exciting.)
  • That tie is a perfect match for your suit. (That tie harmonizes perfectly with your suit.)
  • He was considered a good match for the daughter of a wealthy family. (He was considered a suitable marriage partner.)
  • He struck a match to light the candle. (He struck a small fire-starting stick.)

• Verb:

  • The suspect's fingerprints match those found at the scene. (The suspect's fingerprints are identical to those found at the scene.)
  • The two teams were matched in the finals. (The two teams were put in competition in the finals.)
  • The curtains don't match the carpet. (The curtains are not compatible in color/pattern with the carpet.)
  • The company will match your donation. (The company will provide an equal amount of money.)

Advanced Usage

• "to meet one's match": to encounter someone who is equal or superior in ability.

  • The champion finally met his match in the young challenger. (The champion finally faced someone as good as him.)

• "a perfect match": an ideal combination or pairing.

  • They are a perfect match for each other. (They are ideally suited for each other.)

• "match wits": to compete in intelligence or cleverness.

  • The detective matched wits with the cunning criminal. (The detective competed in cleverness with the criminal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Matchless (adj): having no equal; incomparable.

  • Her beauty was matchless. (Her beauty was incomparable.)

• Matchmaker (n): a person who arranges relationships or marriages.

  • Her aunt is a notorious matchmaker. (Her aunt is famous for arranging relationships.)

• Matching (adj): corresponding in pattern, color, or style.

  • She wore a skirt and matching jacket. (She wore a skirt and a jacket that corresponded with it.)

Synonyms

• Game, contest (n): a competitive activity.
• Equal, counterpart (n): a person or thing that is similar or equivalent.
• Correspond, agree (v): to be similar or consistent.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Match up: to correspond or be consistent.

  • The witness's story doesn't match up with the evidence. (The witness's story is not consistent with the evidence.)

• Match against: to compete with or compare to.

  • He was matched against a much stronger opponent. (He was put in competition with a stronger opponent.)

Related Idioms

• A match made in heaven: a seemingly perfect partnership or marriage.

  • Everyone said their marriage was a match made in heaven. (Everyone said they were a perfect couple.)

• To be no match for: to be clearly inferior or unable to compete with.

  • The inexperienced team was no match for the veterans. (The inexperienced team could not compete with the veterans.)

Noun

1. something that resembles or harmonizes with
   • that tie makes a good match with your jacket
2. a pair of people who live together
   • a married couple from Chicago
3. a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
4. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect
5. the score needed to win a match
6. an exact duplicate
   • when a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
7. a burning piece of wood or cardboard
   • if you drop a match in there the whole place will explode
8. a formal contest in which two or more persons or teams compete
9. lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
   • he always carries matches to light his pipe
   • as long you've a lucifer to light your fag

Verb

1. make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
   • let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office
   • The company matched the discount policy of its competitors
2. be equal or harmonize
   • The two pieces match
3. set into opposition or rivalry
   • let them match their best athletes against ours
   • pit a chess player against the Russian champion
   • He plays his two children off against each other
4. give or join in marriage
5. satisfy or fulfill
   • meet a need
   • this job doesn't match my dreams
6. make correspond or harmonize
   • Match my sweater
7. be equal to in quality or ability
   • Nothing can rival cotton for durability
   • Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
   • Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
8. bring two objects, ideas, or people together
   • This fact is coupled to the other one
   • Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
   • The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
9. provide funds complementary to
   • The company matched the employees' contributions
10. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    • The two stories don't agree in many details
    • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
    • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun