matching

adjective

match·​ing ˈma-chiŋ 

1

of two or more things

a

: going together well : suitably paired or used together

matching colors

… a formfitting navy Armani suit and matching pumps …

—Leslie Bennetts

b

: having the same appearance, design, etc.

In their matching yellow jumpsuits and white T-shirts they looked like gateposts marking the entrance to the house.

—Ann M. Martin

Meanwhile, over the past few months, Kylie Jenner and Pia Mia have been sighted in matching outfits on more than one occasion while shopping and lunching in LA.

—Erika Stalder

2

: forming part of a pair or set

searched the clean laundry for a matching sock

3

: equal in amount

made matching contributions

especially : equal in amount to money obtained from another source

… a proposal that he has sponsored in the legislature would provide $25-50 million in matching funds for biotechnology research and development to companies choosing Louisiana as their base.

—Stephen Budiansky

Synonyms of matching

• similar
• comparable
• analogous
• like
• alike
• such
• corresponding

Examples of matching in a Sentence

was fond of dressing the twins in matching outfits

Recent Examples on the Web

Dress them up with a flowy white dress for a seaside dinner, or keep things polished yet casual with a matching linen set. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2026

Colette slept in her onesie, while the model wore the collection's matching short set. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026

For a quick outfit, pair a linen pant with a matching linen shirt and dress down with flat sandals or flip flops. —ABC News, 9 June 2026

Pink matched her ruffled train to a matching floral piece in her hair, which complemented a pair of black shoulder-length dangling earrings. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for matching

• batching
• catching
• hatching
• latching
• patching
• scratching
• snatching
• thatching
• attaching
• despatching
• detaching
• dispatching