match

A match is a small thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with flammable chemicals that catch fire with friction. (noun)

An example of match is what someone would use to light a candle.

A match is a person or thing that is similar, equal to or suitable for another or a game or contest. (noun)

See match in Webster's New World College Dictionary

See match in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(măch)

noun

a. One that is exactly like another; a counterpart.
b. One that is like another in one or more specified qualities: He is John's match for bravery.
One that is able to compete equally with another: The boxer had met his match.
a. One that closely resembles or harmonizes with another: The napkins were a nice match for the tablecloth.
b. A pair, each one of which resembles or harmonizes with the other: The colors were a close match.
Sports
a. A game or contest in which two or more persons, animals, or teams oppose and compete with each other: a soccer match.
b. A tennis contest won by the player or side that wins a specified number of sets, usually two out of three or three out of five.
A marriage or an arrangement of marriage: a royal match.
A person viewed as a prospective marriage partner.

verb matched, match·ing, match·es

verb, transitive

a. To be exactly like; correspond exactly.
b. To be like with respect to specified qualities.
To resemble or harmonize with: The coat matches the dress.
To adapt or suit so that a balanced or harmonious result is achieved; cause to correspond: You should match your deeds to your beliefs.
To find or produce a counterpart to: It's difficult to match the color of old paint.
To fit together or cause to fit together.
To join or give in marriage.
To place in opposition or competition; pit: She matched her skill against all comers.
To provide with an adversary or competitor.
To do as well as or better than in competition; equal.
To set in comparison; compare: beauty that could never be matched.
To provide funds so as to equal or complement: The government will match all private donations to the museum.
To flip or toss (coins) and compare the sides that land face up.
To couple (electric circuits) by means of a transformer.

verb, intransitive

To be a close counterpart; correspond.

Related Forms:

(măch)

noun

A narrow piece, usually of wood or cardboard, coated on one end with a compound that ignites when scratched against a rough or chemically treated surface.
An easily ignited cord or wick, formerly used to detonate powder charges or to fire cannons and muzzle-loading firearms.

Learn more about match

» match synonyms