match

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a person or thing equal or similar to another
b
: one able to cope with another
He was no match for his opponent.
c
: an exact counterpart
a lake that was almost the match of one he remembered from Switzerland
2
: a pair suitably associated
carpet and curtains are a match
3
a
: a contest between two or more parties
a golf match
a soccer match
a shouting match
b
: a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games
4
a
: a marriage union
b
: a prospective (see prospective sense 2b) partner in marriage
would make a good match for any man

match

2 of 3

verb

matched; matching; matches

transitive verb

1
a
: to encounter successfully as an antagonist
b(1)
: to set in competition or opposition
(2)
: to provide with a worthy competitor
c
: to set in comparison
2
: to join or give in marriage
3
a(1)
: to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes
(2)
: to cause to correspond : suit
matched programs to local needs
b(1)
: to be the counterpart of
also : to compare favorably with
(2)
: to harmonize with
the jacket matched the pants
c
: to provide with a counterpart
d
: to provide funds complementary to
employers may match the employee contributionD. J. Miller
4
: to fit together or make suitable for fitting together
5
a
: to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces
b
: to toss coins with

intransitive verb

: to be a counterpart
matchable adjective
matcher noun

match

3 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder
2
: a short slender piece of flammable material (such as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)

Examples of match in a Sentence

Noun (1) a chess match from all appearances those two have got a good match there I can't find the match to this sock for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match Verb This color matches your skin tone. She was wearing a beautiful skirt, but her sweater didn't match it. The upbeat music matched her mood. Her skirt and sweater matched perfectly. The pillows on the couch all match. Your socks don't match each other. His story doesn't match the facts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This may match with Trump’s policy goals, but often these correlations are hard to pin down with certainty. Simon Moore, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 Kelce matched her energy in a quirky Gucci bucket hat and cardigan. Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024 Vancouver nearly matched that in stoppage time when Ryan Gauld curled a left-footed free kick from 20 yards off the crossbar, giving the goalposts more saves than Lloris in a first half that ended with LAFC leading. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2024 Former Indiana State Police Firearm Examiner Melissa Oberg testified the .40 caliber round found between the bodies matched a pistol seized from Allen’s home, according to CNN affiliate WTHR. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for match 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'match.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make — more at make entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English macche, mecche candlewick, from Anglo-French meche

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of match was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near match

Cite this Entry

“Match.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/match. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

match

1 of 3 noun
1
a
: a person or thing that is equal or similar to or exactly like another
b
: one that can compete or fight successfully with another
a match for the enemy
2
: two persons or things that go well together
curtains and carpet are a good match
3
: a contest between two or more parties
a tennis match
4
b
: a person to be considered as a marriage partner

match

2 of 3 verb
1
: to meet successfully as a competitor
2
a
: to place in competition
matched my strength with my friend's
b
: to provide with a worthy competitor
3
: to join or give in marriage
4
a
: to make or find the equal or the like of
b
: to make correspond
c
: to be the same as or suitable to one another
do these colors match?
5
: to flip or toss coins and compare upper surfaces
matcher noun

match

3 of 3 noun
1
: an evenly burning wick or cord formerly used to ignite a charge of powder
2
: a short slender piece of material (as wood) tipped with a mixture that ignites when scratched against something else
Etymology

Noun

Old English gemæcca "mate, equal"

Noun

Middle English macche "a wick," from early French meiche (same meaning)

More from Merriam-Webster on match

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