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match¹ Definition

match (mac̸h)

noun

  1. Obsolete a wick or cord prepared to burn at a uniform rate, used for firing guns or explosives
  2. a slender piece of wood, cardboard, waxed cord, etc. tipped with a composition that catches fire by friction, sometimes only when rubbed on a specially prepared surface

Etymology: ME macche < OFr mesche, wick of a candle, match < VL *micca, prob. altered (by assoc. with muccare, to snuff a candle, orig., to blow one's nose < L mucus, mucus) < L myxa < Gr, lamp wick, lit., nasal discharge, akin to L mucus

match² Definition

match (mac̸h)

noun

  1. any person or thing equal or similar to another in some way; specif.,
    1. a person, group, or thing able to cope with or oppose another as an equal in power, size, etc.; peer
    2. a counterpart or facsimile
    3. either of two corresponding things or persons; one of a pair
  2. two or more persons or things that go together in appearance, size, or other quality; pair a purse and shoes that are a good match
  3. a contest or game involving two or more contestants, specif., a series of usually three sets in tennis
    1. an agreement to marry or mate
    2. a marriage or mating to make a good match
  5. a person regarded as a suitable or possible mate

Etymology: ME macche < OE (ge)mæcca, one suited to another, mate < base of macian, to make

transitive verb

  1. to join in marriage; get a (suitable) match for; mate
    1. Now Rare to meet as an antagonist
    2. to compete with successfully
  3. to put in opposition (with); pit (against)
  4. to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding to in some way his looks match his character
  5. to make, show, produce, or get a competitor, counterpart, or equivalent to to match a piece of cloth
  6. to suit or fit (one thing) to another
  7. to fit (things) together; make similar or corresponding
  8. to compare
  9. ☆
    1. to flip or reveal (coins) as a form of gambling or to decide something contested, the winner being determined by the combination of faces thus exposed
    2. to match coins with (another person), usually betting that the same faces will be exposed

intransitive verb

  1. to be equal, similar, suitable, or corresponding in some way
  2. Obsolete to mate

match² Related Forms

match′·able adjective match′er noun

match² Idioms

match up

  1. match ()
  2. compare ()

match Synonyms

match

n.

  1. An instrument to produce fire

    safety match, sulphur match, matchstick, fuse, lucifer, locofoco*; see also light 3.

  2. An article that is like another

    peer, equivalent, mate, analogue, counterpart, approximation; see also equal.

  3. A formal contest

    race, event, rivalry; see competition 2, sport 3.

  4. A marriage or engagement

    mating, union, espousal; see marriage 2.

match Synonyms

match

v.

  1. To find or make equals

    equalize, liken, equate, make equal, pair, coordinate, level, even, match up, balance, mate, marry, unite; see also equal.

  2. To be alike

    harmonize, suit, be twins, be counterparts, be doubles, match with, check with, go together, go with, rhyme with, take after; see also agree, resemble.

    Antonyms differ*, be unlike, clash. *

  3. To meet in contest

    equal, keep pace with, run side by side, come up with, be on a level with, cope with, meet, compete with; see also rival.

match Usage Examples

Preposition: of

season: This is only the first match of the season with 7 more matches to be played.

Converse of object

  • win: There then followed a remarkable loss of form for in the following season Alain failed to win a single match.
  • watch: Instead, I watched the match at the Wharf pub in Cardiff Bay.
  • wrestle: Bk IV:290-350 Bk XVII:107-165 Defeated in a wrestling match with Odysseus on Lesbos.
  • lose: Preston won the Second Division championship the next season losing only seven matches in the League.

Adjective modifier

  • exact: We offer a powerful search facility allowing you to find exact matches for your needs.
  • perfect: Jodie Fletcher, born in July 2005, was found to be a perfect genetic match for her then three-year old brother Joshua.
  • tough: Duncan tried hard against Nick but it was always going to be a tough match against a player ranked 65 places above him.
  • friendly: There is also the possibility to play friendly matches with 1st division local teams from Bournemouth and Pool.
  • competitive: Unfortunately in the semi finals we faced a very strong team from Loose, and in a very competitive match lost 2-0.
  • final: The final match of the evening saw the in-form John White take on England's qualifier Adrian Grant.

Modifies a noun

  • fitness: Match fitness The players will all return from their summer breaks out of shape and lacking match fitness.
  • funding: Like any other match funding, there must be a clear audit record to support the amounts.
  • ball: The Reds started to play around with the match ball and Hammill entertained us with his ball skills.

Noun used with modifier

  • football: I want to watch football matches ( The world cup!
  • cricket: Roy tells Sid that her presence at a few cricket matches might just persuade Kevin the bowler to join Ambridge next season.
  • varsity: The 12th February saw the squad of 20 university netballers travel to Oxford for their varsity match being held at Iffley Road.
  • boxing: When he attended a boxing match at Madison Square Garden he was applauded more than the fighters.
  • derby: In the same spirit, the derby match was moved to the evening to maximize the crowd.
  • soccer: K.H.R. OLD BOYS ' DAY, 1973 The afternoon was very pleasant for the most interesting soccer match with the School for many years.