Skip to main content
match

match

363 2.1
A person or thing that is suitable for another, for example as a life partner
  • noun
  • /mæʧ/
translation icon : pareja
  • They found a perfect match in each other and decided to get married.
  • a good match
  • a perfect match
  • find a match

And I want to stress the right match, not are you a good woman?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Effective leadership depends on a match between individuals' strengths and situational requirements.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Oh my gosh, those two are a match made in heaven.

  • It was rare to have a high match as husband and wife.

  • From their first meeting, she had considered him an unworthy match for her bright younger sister.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Theseus is brave, but is he any match for the dreaded Minotaur?

    Academic text (2011)
  • He struggled to find a match in abilities with anyone in his class.

  • The couple seemed like a great match due to their similar interests and values.

Synonyms

peer
vsmatch
285 2.9

A person of the same age or status in a group

applies to suitability or similarity rather than only equal group standing
equivalent
vsmatch
226 3.9

A thing with the same value, role or meaning as another

is about being suitable or similar rather than identical in function
catch
vsmatch
  • Informal
56 6.1

A person who would make a good partner

means suitability or similarity rather than only attractiveness or desirability for marriage
equal
vsmatch
54 2.4

A person who has the same rights, status, or abilities as another

is about being suitable or similar rather than strictly identical
mate
vsmatch
  • UK
15 3.4

One of two matching things that form a pair

focuses on being suitable or similar rather than serving as a pair companion
compeer
vsmatch
  • Archaic
9.9

A person of equal rank or status

focuses on suitability or similarity rather than formal rank or standing

Antonyms

21 3.6

A combination of people or things that do not go well together

A situation where two things cannot work or live together without problems

Idioms

66 5.5

Not able to beat them because they are stronger or better

Compounds

17 1.4

A fight between two boxers in a ring judged by officials

12 3.8

An event that pairs two sides, like sports teams, to compete

A contest where two people try to throw and hold each other

8 1.1

A game of tennis played between two players or two pairs in a tournament

shouting match
  • Informal
7 3.8

A noisy argument in which people try to shout louder than each other

4 2.3

A formal game between two chess players, often in a competition

4 3.4

A point that, if won, decides who wins the whole contest

A game of cricket played between two teams

2 3.3

A marriage or romantic relationship where both people love each other

1 5.6

A golf contest where each hole is a separate game and the player who wins more holes wins the contest

1 3.2

A long cricket game where national teams play over several days

A short practice fight in boxing or martial arts to improve skills

1 7.7

All the things that are part of a situation

kitchen match
  • Archaic
1 2.7

A wooden match you can strike on any rough surface to light stoves

A quick back-and-forth argument between people to test ideas

A small wooden stick with a tip that lights when you strike it on something rough

match plane
  • Specialized
9.9

A hand tool that cuts tongues and grooves in board edges so they fit together

A thin wooden or cardboard stick that lights only when struck on the box's rough strip

shitting match
  • Offensive
9.9

A very angry, petty argument with personal insults

slow match
  • Archaic
9.9

A cord soaked to burn slowly used to light guns or cannons

How Suitable

match
363 2.1
mismatch
21 3.6

Surface Forms

match singular
matches plural

Etymology

Match for a suitable person comes from an old English word mate, which means 'friend' or partner, so a match is someone who fits well with you as a partner.