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 of match

Noun (1)

• tournament
• competition
• game
• event

Verb

• complement
• parallel

Examples of match in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a chess match

from all appearances those two have got a good match there

I can't find the match to this sock

for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives

Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin

the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match

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

Noun

The Orange Buses then guided the Orange Army to Dallas Stadium for the match against Japan. —Dawn White, CBS News, 15 June 2026

With four national teams setting up base camps and six matches planned at Arrowhead Stadium, the expectation was that the World Cup would be easy to spot all around Kansas City. —Pete Grathoff june 14, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026

Verb

Lead drama actor holds essentially steady at 78, nearly matching last year’s 77, when 134 names crowded the ballot. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026

If a traveler renews that passport, replaces it, or travels on a different one, the authorization may no longer match the document being checked. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

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
• live up to/meet/match their expectations
• 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

Rhymes for match

• bache
• batch
• brach
• catch
• hatch
• latch
• mache
• patch
• rach
• scratch
• snatch
• tache

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)