pair1 nounpair2 verb
pairpair1 /peə $ per/ ●●● S2 W2 noun (plural pairs or pair) [countable] 
WORD ORIGINpair1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French paire, from Latin paria ‘equal things’, from par; ➔ PAREXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a pair of clip-on earrings
- a pair of socks
- Bill and his brother were a rather odd-looking pair.
- Do the next exercise in pairs.
- I've got three pairs.
- I need a new pair of shoes.
- If you wear glasses, take an extra pair when you go on vacation.
- Stein and his business partner are a rather unusual pair.
- They felt like a pair of burglars, enjoying themselves in someone else's house while the owner was away.
- Downstairs he found Beryl at the table with the newspaper, her coffee and a pair of scissors.
- Have each pair average the number of drops the penny holds.
- In one later incarnation, she is depicted as severe, with a scalpel and a large pair of pincers.
- Make a right pair, you will.
- Norcross found that the acquisition of a button-pressing task proceeded more rapidly with the first pair of stimuli than with the second.
- The square was empty, except for a pair of winos sleeping it off under the statue.
Longman Language Activatormoney that is borrowed
use this to talk about two people or things together: · Paul and I are both scared of spiders.· I can't decide which dress to buy. I like them both.· Both drivers were injured, but not seriously.both the/these/my etc: · Both the robbers were wearing masks.· Both their parents are doctors.both of: · Both of us felt a little sick after dinner.· Both of the windows had been broken.
spoken both the people that you are talking about: · While the two of them talked about cars, I went into the kitchen to make coffee.· We're taking a romantic vacation - just the two of us.· I want the money to be shared equally between the two of you.
British spoken both the people that you are talking about - used especially when you are angry or disappointed with them: · Get out of here, the pair of you!· There we were, stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money between the pair of us.
use this to talk about two people or things when you think of them as separate: · My wife and I each have our own bank account.each of: · Each of the teams has already won two games.
use this to say that each of two people does the same thing to the other, or has the same feeling about the other: · My boyfriend and I don't talk to each other very much anymore.· The twins looked at one another and giggled.each other's/one another's: · Ron and Joe didn't like each other's girlfriends.
use this to talk about one of two people, places, or things, especially when it does not matter which one: · "Would you like tea or coffee?" "Either - I don't mind."· You can operate the controls with either hand.either of: · If you see either of these men, contact the police immediately.· She says she never met either of them before.either somebody/something or somebody/something: · I usually drink either coke or beer with pizza.
not one or the other of two people, places, or things etc: · "Do you want milk or lemon in your tea?" "Neither, thanks."· The game wasn't very exciting, and neither team played well.neither of: · Luckily, neither of the passengers was hurt in the crash.neither somebody/something nor somebody/something: · Neither her mother nor her father knew about her boyfriend.
: mutual feelings/friends/interest etc mutual feelings etc are ones that both people have at the same time: · The couple were introduced to each other by a mutual friend.· An investment in my company would be to our mutual benefit.· They would meet every week to discuss matters of mutual interest.
to both have the same opinion, attitude, interest etc: · They share an interest in 16th century architecture.· My husband and my mother share the same birthday.
two things of the same type that are used together two things of the same type that are used together: a pair of shoes/socks/gloves/earrings etc: · I need a new pair of shoes.
use this to talk about two things that are the same as each other and exist together or are used together: · the new twin bridges over the river Clyde· a PC with twin disk drivestwin beds: · I asked for a room with twin beds.
two people two people who are together, especially because they are married or have a sexual relationship: · the couple who live next door to me· A young couple were walking hand in hand along the beach.a married couple (=a couple who are married): · The house was bought by a young married couple.
two people who are doing something together, or who are similar or connected in some way: pair of: · They felt like a pair of burglars, enjoying themselves in someone else's house while the owner was away.in pairs (=working in groups of two): · Do the next exercise in pairs.a strange/funny/friendly etc pair: · Bill and his brother were a rather odd-looking pair.
two people who work or perform together: · a brilliant young comedy duo· the successful management duo of Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence
WORD SETSaardvark, nounadder, nounAfghan, nounalley cat, nounalligator, nounalpaca, nounAlsatian, nounamphibian, nounamphibious, adjectiveangora, nounanimal, nounanteater, nounantelope, nounanthropoid, adjectiveantler, nounape, nounappaloosa, nounarachnid, nounarmadillo, nounasp, nounass, nounbaa, verbbaboon, nounbaby, nounbadger, nounbantam, nounbark, verbbark, nounbarnacle, nounbasset, nounbat, nounbay, nounbay, verbbay, adjectivebeagle, nounbear, nounbeast, nounbeast of burden, nounbeaver, nounbellow, verbbellow, nounbelly, nounbig cat, nounbig game, nounbighorn sheep, nounbilly goat, nounbiped, nounbison, nounbitch, nounbivalve, nounbleat, verbbloodhound, nounbloodstream, nounblow-hole, nounboa, nounboar, nounbobcat, nounbovine, adjectivebow-wow, nounboxer, nounbrainwave, nounbrindled, adjectivebristle, verbbronc, nounbronco, nounbrontosaurus, nounbrush, nounbuck, nounbuffalo, nounbull, nounbulldog, nounbullfrog, nounbullock, nounbull terrier, nounburro, nounburrow, nouncalf, nouncall, nouncalve, verbcamel, nouncanine, adjectivecanine, nouncarapace, nouncarcass, nouncaribou, nouncarnivore, nouncarthorse, nouncat, nouncattle, nouncaudal, adjectivecayman, nouncetacean, nounchameleon, nounchamois, nouncheetah, nounchestnut, nounchickadee, nounchicken, nounchihuahua, nounchimpanzee, nounchinchilla, nounchipmunk, nounchow, nounclaw, nouncloven hoof, nouncoat, nouncob, nouncobra, nouncocker spaniel, nouncold-blooded, adjectivecollie, nouncolouring, nouncolt, nouncomb, nounconnective tissue, nouncony, nouncoon, nouncopperhead, nouncorgi, nouncougar, nouncourtship, nouncow, nouncoyote, nouncoypu, nouncrest, nouncrocodile, nouncrop, verbcrustacean, nouncry, nouncub, nouncur, noundachshund, nounDalmatian, noundeer, nounden, noundentine, noundingo, noundinosaur, noundoe, noundog, noundolphin, noundomesticate, verbdonkey, noundormouse, noundorsal, adjectivedromedary, nounduckbilled platypus, nounearthworm, nounelephant, nounelk, nounentrails, nounermine, nounewe, nounexcreta, nounexcretion, nounfallopian tube, nounfallow deer, nounfang, nounfauna, nounfawn, nounfeed, nounfeeler, nounfeline, adjectivefeline, nounfemale, adjectivefemale, nounferal, adjectiveferret, nounfetlock, nounfieldmouse, nounfilly, nounfin, nounfleece, nounflipper, nounflying fox, nounfoal, nounfoal, verbfoetus, nounforefoot, nounforeleg, nounfox, nounfoxhound, nounfox terrier, nounFriesian, nounfrog, nounfrogspawn, nounfruit bat, nounfur, nounfurry, adjectivegarter snake, noungazelle, noungecko, noungeese, gelding, noungerbil, nounGerman shepherd, noungestation, noungiant panda, noungibbon, noungiraffe, noungnu, noungoat, noungolden retriever, noungopher, noungorilla, noungregarious, adjectivegreyhound, noungroundhog, nounground squirrel, noungrunt, verbguinea pig, nounhack, nounhackles, nounhairless, adjectivehamster, nounhare, nounhart, nounhaunch, nounhedgehog, nounheifer, nounhen, nounherbivore, nounherd, nounhermit crab, nounhibernate, verbhind, adjectivehind, nounhindquarters, nounhippo, nounhippopotamus, nounhock, nounhog, nounhoof, nounhorned, adjectivehorse, nounhound, nounhowl, verbhump, nounhusky, nounhyaena, nounhybrid, nounhyena, nounibex, nouniguana, nounimpala, nouninbred, adjectiveinbreeding, nouninsectivore, nouninterbreed, verbinvertebrate, nounjackal, nounjackrabbit, nounjaguar, nounjellyfish, nounJersey, nounkangaroo, nounkid, nounkoala, nounkookaburra, nounLabrador, nounlair, nounlamb, nounlemming, nounleopard, nounlion, nounlioness, nounlitter, nounlitter, verblizard, nounllama, nounlonghorn, nounlugworm, nounlynx, nounmale, nounmamba, nounmammal, nounmammary, adjectivemammoth, nounmandible, nounmandrill, nounmane, nounman-eater, nounmare, nounmarmoset, nounmarsupial, nounmarten, nounmastitis, nounmate, nounmate, verbmating, nounmaw, nounmenagerie, nounmew, verbmiaow, verbmice, nounmigrant, nounmilk, verbmimic, verbmimic, nounmink, nounmole, nounmollusc, nounmongoose, nounmongrel, nounmonkey, nounmoo, verbmoose, nounmoult, verbmountain goat, nounmountain lion, nounmouse, nounmule, nounmuskrat, nounmussel, nounmustang, nounmutt, nounmuzzle, nounnag, nounnanny goat, nounnative, adjectivenative, nounnest, nounnewt, nounnocturnal, adjectiveocelot, nounoctopus, nounoffspring, nounoink, interjectionokapi, nounOld English sheepdog, nounomnivore, nounomnivorous, adjectiveopossum, nounorangutang, nounotter, nounox, nounpachyderm, nounpack, nounpad, nounpair, nounpanda, nounpanther, nounparasite, nounparasitic, adjectivepaw, nounpaw, verbpeccary, nounpedigree, adjectivepeke, nounPekinese, nounpelt, nounPersian cat, nounpest, nounpheasant, nounpiebald, adjectivepied, adjectivepig, nounpiggy, nounpiglet, nounpincer, nounpine marten, nounpinto, nounpit bull terrier, nounpit pony, nounplankton, nounplate, nounplatypus, nounpointer, nounpolar bear, nounpolecat, nounpolyp, nounpony, nounpooch, nounpoodle, nounporcupine, nounporker, nounporpoise, nounPortuguese man-of-war, nounpossum, nounpouch, nounprairie dog, nounprance, verbpredation, nounpredator, nounpredatory, adjectiveprehensile, adjectiveprey, nounprickle, nounpride, nounprimate, nounproboscis, nounprocreate, verbprowl, verbpterodactyl, nounpuffin, nounpug, nounpullet, nounpuma, nounpup, nounpurebred, adjectivepurr, verbpussy, nounpython, nounquack, verbquadruped, nounquill, nounrabbit, nounrabbit warren, nounrabid, adjectiveraccoon, nounracoon, nounram, nounrat, nounrattler, nounrattlesnake, nounravening, adjectivereindeer, nounreptile, nounretract, verbretriever, nounrhesus monkey, nounrhino, nounrhinoceros, nounroan, nounrodent, nounroe deer, nounrottweiler, nounruminant, nounruminate, verbrump, nounrunt, nounrut, nounsable, nounsac, nounsalamander, nounsausage dog, nounscavenge, verbschool, nounscorpion, nounseal, nounsea lion, nounseashell, nounsea urchin, nounsemen, nounserpent, nounsetter, nounsex, verbshed, verbsheep, nounsheepdog, nounShetland pony, nounshire horse, nounshrew, nounshrimp, nounSiamese cat, nounsilkworm, nounsimian, adjectivesire, nounskin, nounskunk, nounsloth, nounslug, nounsnail, nounsnake, nounsnakebite, nounsnarl, verbsniffer dog, nounsnout, nounsocial, adjectivesow, nounspaniel, nounspawn, verbspawn, nounsperm whale, nounsponge, nounspoor, nounspore, nounspringbok, nounsquid, nounsquirrel, nounstag, nounstallion, nounstarfish, nounSt Bernard, nounsteed, nounsteer, nounsting, nounstinger, nounstoat, nounstomach, nounstray, adjectivestray, nounstud, nounsucker, nounsuckle, verbsuckling, nounswine, nountadpole, nountail, nountame, adjectivetame, verbtapeworm, nountapir, nounteat, nountentacle, nounterrapin, nounterrier, nounterritorial, adjectiveterritory, nountiger, nountigress, nountoad, nountom, nountomcat, nountooth, nountortoise, nountortoiseshell, nountrumpet, verbtrunk, nountufted, adjectiveturtle, nountusk, nountyrannosaurus, nounudder, nounuterus, nounvampire bat, nounvent, nounvermin, nounvertebrate, nounvicuña, nounviper, nounvivarium, nounvixen, nounvole, nounwag, verbwallaby, nounwallow, verbwalrus, nounwarm-blooded, adjectivewarren, nounwarthog, nounwater buffalo, nounwater rat, nounwater vole, nounweasel, nounweevil, nounwhale, nounwhelk, nounwhelp, nounwhelp, verbwhinny, verbwhippet, nounwhisker, nounwild boar, nounwildcat, nounwildebeest, nounwildfowl, nounwinkle, nounwithers, nounwolf, nounwolfhound, nounwombat, nounwool, nounyak, nounyap, verbyap, nounyearling, nounyelp, nounYorkshire terrier, nounyoung, nounzebra, nounzoologist, nounzoology, nounzygote, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
two pairs of jeans a pair of black tights She felt as if every pair of eyes in the room was on her. We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The children were arranged in lines according to height. a pair of handcuffs a pair of pliers a pair of scissors a pair of secateurs Sam was trimming the hedge with a pair of garden shears. a pair of slacks I need a new pair of trousers for work. She was plucking her eyebrows with a pair of tweezers.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
two pairs of jeans a pair of black tights She felt as if every pair of eyes in the room was on her. We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise. The children were arranged in lines according to height.· I really need a new pair of boots this winter.
· I saw a lovely pair of earrings in the jeweller's on the High Street.
· She was wearing a new pair of glasses.
· Forbes pulled on a pair of black leather gloves.
a pair of handcuffs a pair of pliers a pair of scissors a pair of secateurs Sam was trimming the hedge with a pair of garden shears.· I need a new pair of shoes.
a pair of slacks· He had a spare pair of socks in his gym bag.
I need a new pair of trousers for work. She was plucking her eyebrows with a pair of tweezers.· In a separate incident, Ferguson also showed Irvine a clean pair of heels.· I put on a clean pair of socks.
· The clinical teacher should be part of the ward team, but must resist becoming an extra pair of hands.· The car was like an extra pair of legs, which they used just to go a few blocks.· We could visit a theatre, and there would be an extra pair of hands in the garden.· The extra pair of heads, now connected, traces the other half of the tape's width.· But an extra pair of hands is still needed, especially during busy periods.
· And then they say - I want a new pair of shoes, Buck sweetie.· She could not have bought a new pair of shoes since Brook Farm.· Until I can afford a new pair of designer boxer shorts, I will go along with that.· Ay, lady, the smokehouse is empty and baby needs a new pair of opera pumps.· The riding breeches £30 and the new pair of riding boots £225.· We repeat what we just did using this new pair: 924 goes once into 1365, with remainder 441.· But he'd still much rather have a new pair of football boots at Christmas.· If that come out I might buy me a new pair of shoes.
· An older pair tending their spawn.· Ah, just what I was looking for: an old pair of pantyhose, useful as a filter in an emergency.· The leather slip-ons were an old, comfortable pair.· What to do with an old pair of sneakers?· Football fever got to us and Brian fashioned a small ball out of an old pair of underpants and a defunct blindfold.· Flaubert's housekeeper made Julio a coat out of an old pair of trousers.· You can often answer these questions by closely examining an old pair of shoes to see the area of most wear.· This time it was one shoe of an old pair.
VERB· I bought my first pair of those brown suede boots back in the early Sixties.· She could not have bought a new pair of shoes since Brook Farm.· The second method is to buy a pair that have already bred.· If that come out I might buy me a new pair of shoes.· If you are going to buy only one pair, I would recommend something around 7 × 50.· And this equipment is not just something you go out and buy like a pair of shoes.· If you want to buy a flamboyant pair of trousers, go ahead!· She bought a pair of used high-heeled pumps from a friend for five dollars.
· He had obviously taken off his wellington boots in the kitchen and not bothered to pull on a pair of shoes.· Marta then pulls out a tiny pair of baby shoes.· As she pulled on a pair of faded jeans and a sweatshirt, she made another decision.· Tom said, adjusting the contrast as Jane Fonda pulled on a pair of nylon panty hose in Klute.· Ask a practitioner more about it - sounds like something anyone who pulls on a pair of trainers should know about!· Then he buttoned the top over his undershirt, and pulled on a pair of green socks.· He has pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweater. ` What's up Dad?· She had pulled on a pair of yellow rubber gauntlets. ` Spring cleaning.
· Perhaps she would put on another pair of socks.· Meticulously she tied a scarf around her head and put on a pair of dark glasses.· She didn't really know what she should be wearing, but that morning she put on an old pair of jeans.· Then he put on the pair of brown leather cloves he had stuck into his overcoat pocket.· He looked calmly around the yard, then put on a pair of mirrored sunglasses before slamming the car door shut.· You could also spend an exhausting day at Squaw Valley and never put on a pair of skis.· Come here, put a pair of trousers on or something.· She put on a pair of sunglasses.
· This kitchen is unheated, and underneath the cloth he's only wearing a pair of underpants.· He would wear a pair of shoes until they almost fell apart.· He wears nothing but a pair of shorts.· He wears a pair of black gloves.· He was wearing a pair of steel-rimmed spectacles.· He was wearing a very attractive pair of black tassel loafers.· The boots were very comfortable from new even when wearing a single pair of walking socks.· Cynthia arrived, wearing a pair of blue oven mitts and carrying a large stew pot.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► I’ve only got one pair of hands► a safe pair of hands
1- But an extra pair of hands is still needed, especially during busy periods.
- The clinical teacher should be part of the ward team, but must resist becoming an extra pair of hands.
- We could visit a theatre, and there would be an extra pair of hands in the garden.
- Alexander advises women to travel in pairs or groups.
- The fighter jets took off in pairs.
- All four can work on the same demonstration, or they can work in pairs on different ones.
- Now I asked them to work in pairs or individually to find the arrangements of ten fences.
- People like the Giffens always go about in pairs.
- Policemen had walked in pairs there in the old days.
- The model that we have developed is to attach students in pairs to a general practice tutor in a teaching practice.
- Uniformed cops went on shift in pairs, joking, or came off singly, depressed.
- A pail of ice-cold water over the pair of them would have been the best idea.
- He wades in among the pair of them, grabs their studded leather collars and starts yanking them away.
- I know you were kicking up a dust last night, the pair of you.
- I remember when I found out Mandy was sleeping with that geek Kevin, I felt like throttling the pair of them.
- See you, you've made me right angry, the pair of you!
- The last time I had filled the pair of them was exactly two weeks ago, when the students left.
- There were milk and buns laid out inside for the pair of them.
- They lay in each other's arms, as if what they had done together had broken the pair of them.
joined together an object that is made from two similar parts that are joined togetherpair of trousers/scissors/glasses etc two pairs of jeans a pair of black tights2belonging together two things of the same type that are used togetherpair of a new pair of sandalspair of hands/eyes/legs etc She felt as if every pair of eyes in the room was on her. earrings, £5 a pair a pair of skis We have five pairs of free tickets to give away.3in pairs in groups of two: We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise. The leaves of the tree are arranged in pairs.4two people two people who are standing or doing something together, or who have some type of connection with each other: The pair are looking for sponsorship from local businesses.pair of a pair of dancers ► Do not use pair to talk about a husband and wife (or two people in a similar relationship). Use couple: They’re a nice couple (NOT pair).5the pair of you/them British English spoken used when you are angry or annoyed with two people: Oh, get out, the pair of you.6two animals a)a male and a female animal that come together in order to breedpair of a pair of doves a breeding pair b)old use two horses that work together7I’ve only got one pair of hands spoken used to say that you are busy and cannot do any more than you are already doing8an extra pair of hands someone who helps you do something when you are busy: Having an extra pair of hands during busy periods can take the pressure off.9a safe pair of hands someone you can trust and depend on because they are sensible – used especially in news reports: Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands.pair1 nounpair2 verb
pairpair2 verb VERB TABLE
pair
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | pair |
| he, she, it | pairs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | paired |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have paired |
| he, she, it | has paired | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had paired |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will pair |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have paired |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pairing |
| he, she, it | is pairing | |
| you, we, they | are pairing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pairing |
| you, we, they | were pairing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pairing |
| he, she, it | has been pairing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pairing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pairing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pairing |
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- But the third was also paired up and came home with me.
- He had been paired off with Whitlock.
- If a conditioned response occurs, you will begin alternating escape scenes and pairing scenes.
- Strong optimism paired with strong anxiety.
- Well, by the time things had sorted themselves out, Johnny Miller was nearest to us and we were paired with him.
- You can have your menu paired with wines for an additional $ 45.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The children were arranged in lines according to height. a pair of handcuffs a pair of pliers a pair of scissors a pair of secateurs Sam was trimming the hedge with a pair of garden shears. a pair of slacks I need a new pair of trousers for work. She was plucking her eyebrows with a pair of tweezers.
1[intransitive, transitive] to put people or things into groups of two, or to form groups of twobe paired with somebody The children were arranged in lines according to height.· I really need a new pair of boots this winter.
· I saw a lovely pair of earrings in the jeweller's on the High Street.
· She was wearing a new pair of glasses.
· Forbes pulled on a pair of black leather gloves.
a pair of handcuffs a pair of pliers a pair of scissors a pair of secateurs Sam was trimming the hedge with a pair of garden shears.· I need a new pair of shoes.
a pair of slacks· He had a spare pair of socks in his gym bag.
I need a new pair of trousers for work. She was plucking her eyebrows with a pair of tweezers. We were each paired with a newcomer to help with training.GRAMMAR Pair is usually passive in this meaning, when used as a transitive verb.2 (also pair up) [intransitive] if animals pair, they come together in order to breedpair off phrasal verb to come together or bring two people together to have a romantic relationship: All the others were pairing off and I was left on my own.pair somebody off with somebody My aunt was forever pairing me off with unsuitable men.pair up phrasal verb1 British English to become friends and start to have a relationship: We learned later that he and Tanya had paired up.2to work together to do something or to put two people together to do something: They first paired up in the screen adaptation of ‘Grease’.pair somebody ↔ up They have paired up writers and artists, and commissioned linked works.3if animals pair up, they come together in order to breed