match

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmach 

1

a

: a person or thing equal or similar to another

b

: one able to cope with another

He was no match for his opponent.

c

: an exact counterpart

a lake that was almost the match of one he remembered from Switzerland

2

: a pair suitably associated

carpet and curtains are a match

3

a

: a contest between two or more parties

a golf match

a soccer match

a shouting match

b

: a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games

4

a

: a marriage union

b

: a prospective (see prospective sense 2b) partner in marriage

would make a good match for any man

match

2 of 3

verb

matched; matching; matches

transitive verb

1

a

: to encounter successfully as an antagonist

b(1)

: to set in competition or opposition

(2)

: to provide with a worthy competitor

c

: to set in comparison

2

: to join or give in marriage

3

a(1)

: to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes

(2)

: to cause to correspond : suit

matched programs to local needs

b(1)

: to be the counterpart of

also : to compare favorably with

(2)

: to harmonize with

the jacket matched the pants

c

: to provide with a counterpart

d

: to provide funds complementary to

employers may match the employee contribution

—D. J. Miller

4

: to fit together or make suitable for fitting together

5

a

: to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces

b

: to toss coins with

intransitive verb

: to be a counterpart

matchable

ˈma-chə-bəl 

adjective

matcher noun

match

3 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder

2

: a short slender piece of flammable material (such as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• bout
• competition
• contest
• event
• game
• matchup
• meet
• sweepstakes
• sweep-stake
• tournament
• tourney

Verb

• correspond (to)
• equal
• parallel

Examples of match in a Sentence

Verb

This color matches your skin tone.

She was wearing a beautiful skirt, but her sweater didn't match it.

The upbeat music matched her mood.

Her skirt and sweater matched perfectly.

The pillows on the couch all match.

Your socks don't match each other.

His story doesn't match the facts.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Liberty Mutual matches employee gifts to more than 11,000 eligible charities. —James Pollard, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024

Under the right condition and matching serial number, currency collectors are willing to pay between $20,000 and $150,000 for a pair from these batches. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024

He was photographed walking arm in arm with Underwood while wearing a white shirt, green jacket and gray pants with matching gray walking shoes. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024

No small prizes for matching the first five numbers were sold. —The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

However, lackluster customization and support options keep it from matching our Editors' Choice winners Brevo, Campaigner, and Mailchimp. —Gabriel Zamora, PCMAG, 25 Apr. 2024

What is the Powerball payout on matching 2 lottery numbers? —Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Apr. 2024

Instead of flashy accessories, two silver and diamond tennis bracelets (one for each wrist) plus a matching clutch were chosen to accentuate her gown. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024

Zero tickets matched all six numbers, and no one matched all five numbers except for the Powerball worth $500,000. —Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Apr. 2024

Noun

Both Logan and Jake have taken turns trying out both amateur and professional fighting, including in the WWE and in exhibition matches against boxing champion Floyd Mayweather and fellow YouTuber KSI. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024

Britain's Prince Harry, right, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, arrive to a wheelchair basketball match at the Invictus Games in Duesseldorf, Germany, Sept. 13, 2023. —Lucia Suarez Sang, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2024

The reigning champions flexed their muscle in the fourth quarter with two goals to win 4-3 and take the lead heading into the series’ final match. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2024

Two plays later, Salmon put the match away with a kill in serve receive. —Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2024

More:Former Forward Madison goalkeeper heading to World Cup for Canada Forward Madison has had matches broadcasted on ESPN+ since 2019. —Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024

April 22, 2024 More from the On Soccer With Rory Smith Newsletter On Soccer With Rory Smith Global sports correspondent Rory Smith tracks the game from the biggest matches to the smallest leagues, covering the players, personalities and history of the world's most popular sport. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

As with last week’s recent polo event, Meghan was invited onstage after Harry’s team won the match. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

After an overtime winner from Nacho Flores in last week’s match against Utica, the Comets captain led the way again in a complete team effort Monday. —Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make — more at make entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English macche, mecche candlewick, from Anglo-French meche

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing match

• a match made in heaven
• book-match
• grudge match
• match/meet expectations
• match play
• match point
• match up to
• matchy-match
• meet one's match
• mix and match
• more than a match for
• no match for
• return match
• safety match
• shouting match
• shoving match
• slanging match
• slow match
• test match
• the whole shooting match
• to match

Kids Definition

match

1 of 3 noun

ˈmach 

1

a

: a person or thing that is equal or similar to or exactly like another

b

: one that can compete or fight successfully with another

a match for the enemy

2

: two persons or things that go well together

curtains and carpet are a good match

3

: a contest between two or more parties

a tennis match

4

a

: marriage sense 1b

b

: a person to be considered as a marriage partner

match

2 of 3 verb

1

: to meet successfully as a competitor

2

a

: to place in competition

matched my strength with my friend's

b

: to provide with a worthy competitor

3

: to join or give in marriage

4

a

: to make or find the equal or the like of

b

: to make correspond

c

: to be the same as or suitable to one another

do these colors match?

5

: to flip or toss coins and compare upper surfaces

matcher noun

match

3 of 3 noun

1

: an evenly burning wick or cord formerly used to ignite a charge of powder

2

: a short slender piece of material (as wood) tipped with a mixture that ignites when scratched against something else

Etymology

Noun

Old English gemæcca "mate, equal"

Noun

Middle English macche "a wick," from early French meiche (same meaning)