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pair

pair

889 1.0
Two matching things considered together, like two socks
  • noun
  • /pɛr/
translation icon : par
  • I just got my first pair of running shoes.
  • work in pairs
  • a pair of students
  • a pair of stockings

So it says which word in each pair appeals to you more.

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Examples

  • So these bad boys right here are a pair of chunky trainers.

  • And you're gonna need a pair of boots.

  • I bought this black pair that I'm wearing.

  • I got my dad a pair of on clouds.

  • Have you ever seen such a pair of shoulders?

  • One had black Reeboks on his feet, the other a pair of scuffed loafers.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I just bought a new pair of shoes that matches my outfit.

  • She wore a stylish pair of earrings to the party.

  • For the hike, I packed a comfortable pair of socks.

Synonyms

couple
vspair
308 1.0

Two things of the same kind considered together

is the neutral term for two similar items seen as one unit
twain
vspair
  • Archaic
62 9.9

Two things of the same kind

is the common modern expression for two matching things considered together
twosome
vspair
10 3.2

Two people who do things together, like walking or dancing

is the general term for two similar items or people as one unit
duo
vspair
9 2.5

Two people or things that are closely connected and used together

is more general and applies to any two similar items
brace
vspair
  • Archaic
4 5.1

Two animals or things that form a pair

is the general unit term not limited to animals or objects
dyad
vspair
3 7.9

Two people or things that are close and form one unit

is the simple everyday concept of two similar things considered together
couplet
vspair
1 5.6

Two matching items kept or used together

is broader, covering any two matching things viewed as one unit
duad
vspair
9.9

Two things of the same kind seen as one

includes both objects and people considered together as one unit

Idioms

to grow a pair
  • Offensive
8 9.9

To become braver and more confident in difficult situations

To be brave enough to do something difficult or risky

A person who can be trusted to do important tasks carefully and well

Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble

Compounds

A tool with two sharp blades you hold to cut paper or cloth

7 5.8

A young person from another country who lives with a family and helps look after children for room and food

A single piece of clothing that you wear under other clothes, usually underpants

base pair
  • Specialized
6 3.9

Two matching chemical parts in DNA or RNA that join the two strands, for example adenine with thymine

A hand tool with two joined arms and toothed jaws used to hold, bend, or cut things

A person who helps with physical tasks when needed

Small tool with two thin arms used to pick up small things

2 1.1

Clothes that cover your lower body from the waist to the ankles with separate legs

A person who looks at work with a new view to find mistakes

A tool with two long handles joined at one end for holding and lifting hot or delicate things

au pair girl
  • Archaic
1 6.3

A young woman who lives with a family and cares for children while getting room, food and a small payment

3.5

A machine or program that helps people do repeated tasks

pair creation
  • Specialized
9.9

A process where a high-energy photon turns into an electron and a positron near an atomic nucleus

pair formation
  • Specialized
9.9

When a high energy light particle turns into an electron and a positron near an atomic nucleus

A tool with two joined arms used to hold or pull things

4.2

Something you wear on your face to help you see

9.9

A rectangular instrument without legs with keys like a harpsichord, often played by women in the 1500s and 1600s

pair production
  • Specialized
9.6

A very energetic light particle changes into an electron and a positron near a nucleus

How Large

shipment
231 2.3
bulk
121 2.7
lot
1.0
batch
197 3.2
group
1.0
pair
889 1.0
single piece
11 3.3

Surface Forms

pair singular
pairs plural

Etymology

Pair comes from an old Latin root par which means 'equal'. Think of two matching shoes or socks: a pair is two things that go together and are equal or similar.