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

Kidman wore a light green lacy dress in the video, while Bullock wore a matching black jacket and flowing skirt. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Dressed in a gorgeous green gown with matching heels and sporting perfectly coiffed hair, Spiro graced the Airbnb stage with her songs that evoke other-era classic vibes while still sounding fresh. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 3 Aug. 2026

Another was a matching blue and white polka dot bikini with the same design. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026

This piece appears to have a yellow-gold case paved with diamonds, a black dial, and a matching black strap. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 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