Definition

1. Noun:

   • Two identical or similar things used together: A set of two items that are designed to be used together or are considered a unit.
   • Two people or animals associated together: Two people or animals considered as a unit, often because they are married, working together, or in a relationship.
   • A single item with two connected parts: An object that consists of two joined or corresponding parts, such as scissors or trousers.

2. Verb:

   • To arrange or form into a pair: To put two people or things together to form a pair.
   • To come together to form a pair: For two people or things to join or match together.
   • (Of animals) To mate: To come together for breeding.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • I need to buy a new pair of shoes. (Referring to a set of two items.)
  • They are a happy pair. (Referring to two people in a relationship.)
  • This pair of scissors is very sharp. (Referring to a single item with two parts.)

• Verb:

  • The teacher will pair the students for the project. (To arrange into a pair.)
  • The two elements pair well together. (To come together to form a pair.)
  • The birds pair in the spring. (To mate.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be a pair": To be a couple or a matched set.

  • Those two vases are a pair; they were made to go together.

• "In pairs": Arranged or happening in groups of two.

  • Please line up in pairs.

• "To make a pair": To complete a set of two.

  • This sock doesn't make a pair with any of the others.

Variants and Related Words

• Pairing (n): The action or result of forming a pair.

  • The pairing of wine and cheese is an art.

• Paired (adj): Formed into or existing as a pair.

  • The paired chromosomes were visible under the microscope.

Synonyms

• Couple: Two people or things of the same sort considered together.
• Duo: A pair of people or things, especially in music or performance.
• Brace: A pair of things, typically of the same type (e.g., a brace of pistols).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pair off: To form into pairs; to begin a romantic relationship with someone.

  • At the dance, people started to pair off.
  • They paired off and started dating last summer.

• Pair up: To join with another person to form a pair, often for an activity.

  • We need to pair up for the next exercise.

Related Idioms

• Another/a different pair of shoes: An entirely different matter or situation.

  • Fixing a leak is one thing, but redesigning the plumbing is another pair of shoes.

• Pair of hands: A person available to do work, especially manual labor.

  • We could use an extra pair of hands to help move this furniture.

Noun

1. a poker hand with 2 cards of the same value
2. two people considered as a unit
3. two items of the same kind
4. a set of two similar things considered as a unit

Verb

1. engage in sexual intercourse
   • Birds mate in the Spring
2. arrange in pairs
   • Pair these numbers
3. occur in pairs
4. 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
5. form a pair or pairs
   • The two old friends paired off