pair

1 of 2

noun

ˈper 

plural pairs or pair

1

a(1)

: two corresponding things designed for use together

a pair of shoes

(2)

: two corresponding bodily parts or members

a pair of hands

b

: something made up of two corresponding pieces

a pair of trousers

2

a

: two similar or associated things: such as

(1)

: two mated animals

(2)

: a couple in love, engaged, or married

were a devoted pair

(3)

: two playing cards of the same value or denomination and especially of the same rank

(4)

: two horses harnessed side by side

(5)

: two members of a deliberative body that agree not to vote on a specific issue during a time agreed on

also : an agreement not to vote made by the two members

b

: a partnership especially of two players in a contest against another partnership

3

chiefly dialectal : a set or series of small objects (such as beads)

pair

2 of 2

verb

paired; pairing; pairs

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a pair of

—often used with off or up

paired off the animals

b

: to cause to be a member of a pair

c

: to arrange a voting pair between

2

: to arrange in pairs

3

: to establish a connection between (a set of networked devices or systems) or from (a networked device or system)

The Windows app will then walk you through a few steps to pair your phone and PC.

—Jared Newman

After the reset, you will need to pair your watch to your phone once more.

—Andy Walker

But pairing your phone with your car can be a nightmare sometimes. How and whether you can make it work primarily depends on the smartphone's operating system and the vehicle's technical capabilities.

—Claudius Lüder

intransitive verb

1

: to constitute a member of a pair

a sock that didn't pair

2

a

: to become associated with another

—often used with off or up

paired up with an old friend

b

: to become grouped or separated into pairs

—often used with off

paired off for the next dance

Synonyms

Noun

• brace
• couple
• couplet
• duo
• dyad
• twain
• twosome

Examples of pair in a Sentence

Noun

He blushed when he saw all three pairs of eyes watching him.

She won with a pair of aces.

I got my first pair of glasses when I was eight.

His two closest friends lived in the city and the pair of them visited him often.

The dance is usually performed by a male and female pair.

Those two kids make quite a pair.

Verb

The teacher paired students with partners for the assignment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After the Lakers cut it to six in the fourth quarter, Denver got a pair of offensive rebounds before Jokic finally scored on their third attempt. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024

In the music video, Janson is trying out a pair of binoculars at a Bass Pro Shop and images of wildlife flash across the screen. —Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024

The pair’s exact relationship is still being determined. —Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024

Wearing a pair of compression socks will not only wade off any temptation to clip or file your nails mid-flight, but the socks will also relieve tension by stimulating circulation in your legs and feet to reduce swelling in the air. —Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2024

Tanner Scott pitched around a pair of singles for his third save in a 3-2 win in game one of a split doubleheader. —Paul Johnson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024

Larkin contended Ramirez's testimony had inconsistencies, including where the shooting took place and where the pair were in relation to the border. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2024

The pair of compounds are part of a larger family of chemical substances known collectively as PFAS. —Coral Davenport, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

The father-daughter pair’s find, which was just six miles away from de la Salle’s, was the smoking gun. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024

Verb

These wedges not only look cute paired with a summer dress or your go-to pair of jeans, but are also sure to keep you blister-free. —Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024

Its versatile color and style can be paired with anything. —Lilian Gonzalez, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2024

The mild flavor of the chicken breast pairs well with the ginger, garlic and sesame. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

Most were excited by the book, but some took issue with Babitz and Didion being paired together, leading Polson to issue an apology. —Jessica Ferri, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Home to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, Chase Center pairs its basketball with Napa Valley sophistication. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024

Editor's Tip: To double down on your dark spot-reducing skin-care routine, Paula's Choice recommends pairing this serum with the antioxidant-rich C5 Super Boost Moisturizer. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 10 Apr. 2024

The hard pass is especially effective when paired with a refusal to look up from your phone or a disdainful loogie hock. —Evan Waite, The New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2024

So, the Lunchables described in the article would need to be paired with fruit, vegetables and milk. —Parija Kavilanz and Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English paire, from Anglo-French, from Latin paria equal things, from neuter plural of par equal

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing pair

• au pair
• base pair
• have one pair of hands
• minimal pair
• more than one pair of hands
• pair-bond
• pair of compasses
• pair off
• pair of hands
• pair of pantyhose
• pair of virginals
• pair production
• pair (someone) up with (someone)
• pair up
• safe pair of hands

Kids Definition

pair

1 of 2 noun

ˈpa(ə)r 

ˈpe(ə)r

plural pairs also pair

1

: two things that match or are meant to be used together

a pair of hands

a pair of gloves

2

: a thing having two connected matching parts

a pair of scissors

3

: a set of two like or associated things

pair

2 of 2 verb

1

: to make a pair of or arrange in pairs

paired off the animals

2

: to form a pair or pairs

paired off for the next dance

Etymology

Noun

Middle English paire "two things that match or go together," from early French paire (same meaning), from Latin paria "equal things," from par "equal" — related to compare, par, peer, umpire see Word History at umpire