noun | verb
matchmatch1 /mætʃ/ ●●● S3 W2 noun 1
FIRE [countable] a small wooden or paper stick with a chemical substance at the top, used to light a fire, cigarette, etc.: a box of matcheslight/strike a match (=rub a match against a surface to make it burn) → see also matchbook2GAME [countable] an organized sports event between two teams or people: a tennis match Eric scored the only goal in the match against Albany.3something THAT COMBINES WELL [singular] something that works or combines well with something else so that the two things make a good combination: match for That shirt’s a perfect match for your blue skirt.a good/perfect match Sauvignon blanc is a perfect match for oysters.4something THE SAME [countable] something that looks exactly the same or is extremely similar to something else: match for Doctors failed to find a match for the bone marrow transplant. Stores will mix paints so you can get an exact match.5TWO PEOPLE TOGETHER [singular] a combination of people, especially people who get married or live together as a couple: be/make a good/perfect match Kim and Peter are a good match. The two of them are not really a match made in heaven (=they are not a very good combination).6be no match for somebody to be much less strong, skilled, intelligent, etc. than an opponent: Their primitive weapons were no match for guns.7be more than a match for somebody to be much stronger, smarter, etc. than an opponent8a shouting match a loud angry argument in which two people insult each other[Origin: (1) Old English maecca] → see also meet your match at meet1 (16), mix and match at mix1 (6) noun | verb
matchmatch2 ●●● S2 W3 verb 1LOOK GOOD TOGETHER [intransitive, transitive] if one thing matches another, or if two or more things match, they look attractive together because they have a similar color, pattern, etc. OPP clash: This lipstick matches your blouse exactly. Everything in the baby’s room matches. → see also matching2SEEM THE SAME [intransitive, transitive] if two or more things or pieces of information match, or if one matches the other, there is no important difference between them: The man matched the description provided by the witness. She checked the signatures to see if they matched.3LOOK THE SAME [intransitive, transitive] if two socks, shoes, etc. match, they look the same and belong together because they are a pair: Your socks don’t match.4CONNECT [transitive] to put two people or things together because they are similar to each other, or because they are connected in some way: match somebody/something with somebody/something The college tries to match students with companies that will hire them. Match the words on the left with the pictures on the right.match somebody/something to somebody/something I look for qualities that match the actor to the character.5BE APPROPRIATE [transitive] to be suitable or appropriate for a particular person, thing, or situation: I want to earn a salary that matches my expertise. Teaching materials should match the needs of the students.well-matched/ill-matched The two companies are ill-matched (=badly matched) for a merger.6BE EQUAL [transitive] to equal something in value, size, amount, quality, etc.: His skill was matched by his intelligence. No one has ever matched his record.be equally/evenly matched The teams were evenly matched.7MAKE EQUAL [transitive] to make something equal to something else: match something to something Lindsay matched her steps to the other girl as they walked.8GIVE MONEY [transitive] to give a sum of money equal to a sum given by someone else: Anderson will receive a bonus that matches his base salary.match somebody against somebody phrasal verb if you are matched against someone else in a game or competition, you are competing against him or her: He will be matched against Federer in the men’s final.match up phrasal verb1 if two things match up, they seem the same or similar, without any important differences: The two witnesses’ accounts don’t match up.2 match somebody/something ↔ up to bring together people or things that seem suitable for each other: match somebody/something up with somebody/something It’s my job to match up the right horse with the right owner.3match up to your hopes/expectations/ideals etc. to be as good as you expected, hoped, etc.match up with somebody phrasal verb to be of a similar level or of similar quality as something else: I’m embarrassed that we didn’t match up with Nebraska. They’re good!