pair

1 of 2

noun

ˈper

plural pairs or pair

Synonyms of pair next

a(1)

: two corresponding things designed for use together

a pair of shoes

(2)

: two corresponding bodily parts or members

a pair of hands

: something made up of two corresponding pieces

a pair of trousers

: 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

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

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

pair

2 of 2

verb

paired; pairing; pairs

transitive verb

: to make a pair of

—often used with off or up

paired off the animals

: to cause to be a member of a pair

: to arrange a voting pair between

: to arrange in pairs

intransitive verb

: to constitute a member of a pair

a sock that didn't pair

: to become associated with another

—often used with off or up

paired up with an old friend

: to become grouped or separated into pairs

—often used with off

paired off for the next dance

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The offensive barrage included a pair of walk-off hits – a home run in a 14-3 run-rule win over Sabinal and a double in a 13-12 win over Dilley. —

Jeffrey Perkins, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Mar. 2023 This reveal comes after a 3-minute montage of the pair backstage, in bed, and frolicking in different cities. —

Vulture, 25 Mar. 2023 Warm creams pair better with the brick reds and denim blues omnipresent in American ceramic and textile antiques, as well as natural materials like linen, wool, and wood. —

Kate Mcgregor, ELLE Decor, 24 Mar. 2023 Together, the pair share son Sam, who was born in 2016. —

Marisa Sullivan, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2023 This pair of classic cotton joggers is the picture of coziness thanks to the thick cotton material. —

Kaitlyn Mcinnis, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2023 Lawrence has worn the same grey and green pair on repeat this month, styling them differently each time—a testament to the retro sneaker’s versatility. —

Alice Cary, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2023 This chocolatier designed a pair of truffles, a triple dark chocolate with a gold leaf and a raspberry ganache. —

Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2023 Getting another tight end to pair with Peyton Hendershot and Jake Ferguson can’t hurt either. —

David Moore, Dallas News, 23 Mar. 2023

Verb

And don’t miss out on saving 30 percent on these cute Aerosoles Cara sandals with a bow on top that will pair equally with shorts or a dress. —

Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2023 With so much vacant land, local officials are hoping to attract another technology company that could pair well with Foxconn. —

Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023 This season, the Suns have relied on strong defensive play to carry the team with an average offense to pair. —

Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2023 The bright flavors of the combined herbs will pair well with the hearty, savory flavors of your choice of meat for a delectable result. —

Elaine Johnson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2023 Everlane's lightweight fabric gives a floor-length, slouchy look that'll pair with any number of crop tops this summer. —

Gaby Keiderling, Harper's BAZAAR, 20 Mar. 2023 Made with the same plush comfort their boots are fan-favorites for, this robe is buttery-soft, fluffy, and will pair well with your UGG slippers. —

Jasmine Gomez, Women's Health, 20 Mar. 2023 This unit is ready to pair with Lowrance, Simrad, and Mercury fish finders for those wanting ultimate control. —

Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2023 The program will pair community volunteers with teachers and students to celebrate reading. —

Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

1606, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of pair was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pair. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pair

1 of 2 noun

ˈpa(ə)r

ˈpe(ə)r

plural pairs also pair

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

a pair of hands

a pair of gloves

: a thing having two connected matching parts

a pair of scissors

: a set of two like or associated things

pair

2 of 2 verb

: to make a pair of or arrange in pairs

paired off the animals

: 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