match

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 contributionD. 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 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)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But the prize pool doesn’t match what the CBA calls for. Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 3 Dec. 2024 Before long, driving to the mall with your family to give your biggest, tightest smiles for a relatively affordable, 15-minute shoot (sometimes in matching outfits) felt like a middle-class custom. Erin Sagen, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
Advertisement Puig was not made available to the media after the match. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 Of the 79 injured, 64 were fans, 10 were police officers and five were match stewards. Matias Grez, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for match 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of match was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near match

Cite this Entry

“Match.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/match. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

match

1 of 3 noun
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
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)

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