matches
matches — verb
- matchespresent simple I / you / we / they
- matcheses3rd person singular
- matchesing-ing form
- matchesedpast simple
1. to equal or surpass another in ability, speed, or achievement, particularly unde
to equal or surpass another in ability, speed, or achievement, particularly under competitive conditions
Amara's speed on the court was hard to match, even for the older players.
passive: be hard to match
The new cafe tries to match the quality of the famous bakery across the street.
No other runner could match Kofi's time in the hundred-metre race.
match + possessive noun phrase (time)
Our team's defence matched the visitors' attack throughout the second half of the game.
The Hungarian swimmer matched the world record set by her rival two years ago.
- match somebody's speed
- match a record
- match the quality
- hard to match
- no one can match
- equal
more formal; emphasises reaching the same standard
- rival
suggests active competition or the ability to challenge
- keep pace with
phrasal verb; focuses on not falling behind over time
- fall behind
to become less successful or slower than
Grammar Patterns
match + noun phrase
match + each other
no one can match + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used in negative constructions ('can't match', 'no one can match') to emphasise that someone or something is the best.
Common Mistakes
2. to be similar to or combine well with something else in colour, design, or style
to be similar to or combine well with something else in colour, design, or style, so that the overall appearance looks pleasant
The blue curtains match the colour of the sofa perfectly.
match + noun phrase (colour match)
Her red shoes and bag do not really match, but she likes the look anyway.
intransitive: two items + match
I love how the stripes on your scarf match the pattern of your dress.
The new wallpaper does not match the old furniture in the living room at all.
Chen chose a tie that matched the colour of his shirt for the wedding party.
- match perfectly
- colours match
- match exactly
- match the colour of
- go with
informal phrasal verb, very common in everyday speech
- coordinate with
more formal; suggests deliberate planning of colours or styles
- clash
colours or designs that look unattractive together
Grammar Patterns
match + noun phrase
[item A] + matches + [item B]
[items] + match
Common Mistakes
3. to find or create a connection between two people or things that are appropriate
to find or create a connection between two people or things that are appropriate for each other, such as pairing a worker with a job, a volunteer with an organisation, or a student with a mentor
The charity matched each new donor with a family in need of support.
match + noun + with + noun
The website matches job seekers to the best positions based on their skills and experience.
Our dating app matches people who share the same interests and values.
match + noun (shared criteria)
The teacher matched the younger students with older mentors for the reading project.
Diego was matched with a host family who lived near his university.
passive: be matched with
Grammar Patterns
match + noun + with + noun
match + noun + to + noun
be matched with + noun
Common Mistakes
matches — noun
- matchessingular
- matchesesplural
1. a planned event where two individuals or groups face one another in games such a
a planned event where two individuals or groups face one another in games such as football, tennis, or chess.
Quinn scored the winning goal in the final football match of the season.
match between + opponents in sports contexts
The chess match between Ayesha and Selim lasted for over four hours.
Renata has won every tennis match she has played so far this year.
Heavy rain forced the referee to stop the match in the second half.
Piotr and his father watched the boxing match together on television.
- football match
- tennis match
- boxing match
- chess match
- final match
- match against
- match between
Grammar Patterns
match between + opponents
match against + opponent
Usage Note
Often followed by 'between' to name the opponents or 'against' for one side: 'a match between Brazil and Argentina', 'a match against the champions'.
Common Mistakes
2. the player whose performance in a particular contest is judged to be the stronge
the player whose performance in a particular contest is judged to be the strongest or most impressive, often receiving an award for it.
After scoring a hat-trick, Sivan was named the match by the sportswriters.
be named the match for top performer award
Jiwoo played so well that everyone agreed she was clearly the match.
Quan's coach told reporters he deserved player of the match for his team.
Femi received a trophy after being chosen as player of the match by the judges.
The crowd disagreed with the decision and booed when Zuri was named the match.
- named the match
- chosen as the match
- be the match
- man of the match
more common traditional phrase, though it uses a gendered term
- player of the match
gender-neutral alternative to 'man of the match'
Grammar Patterns
be the match (informal)
3. a short slender stick with a chemical tip that bursts into flame when scraped ac
a short slender stick with a chemical tip that bursts into flame when scraped across a rough strip.
Anna struck a match against the box and lit the candle on the table.
strike a match against + rough surface
The campers ran out of matches and could not start a fire that night.
A box of matches sat on the shelf next to the old kitchen stove.
Quinn searched every pocket but could not find a single dry match.
Never leave matches where small children can easily reach them.
Hui held a burning match close to the wick to light the oil lamp.
burning match + light source
Zuri dropped the lighted match onto the pile of dry leaves by accident.
A sudden breeze blew out the match before Femi could light the gas stove.
Selim used a lighted match to carefully melt the wax around the candle base.
A burned match smell filled the dark room where Quinn lit the stove.
- blow out a match
- book of matches
- box of matches
- burning match
- dry match
- light a match
- lighted match
- lit match
- strike a match
- matchstick
another word for the same object, especially a wooden one
Usage Note
The verb used with this sense is usually 'strike' (rub a match against a surface to light it). 'Light a match' is also common. When the match is already producing a flame, it is described as a 'burning match', 'lighted match', or 'lit match' — these describe the same object (a match) in an active state of use.
Common Mistakes
4. someone or something whose strength, speed, or skill equals that of another, cre
someone or something whose strength, speed, or skill equals that of another, creating a well-balanced pair in a contest or comparison.
The young boxer was a good match for the former champion despite his age.
be a match for + equally strong opponent
Sivan thought she was fast until she met her match in the final race.
This small bakery is no real match for the large chain across the street.
Anna and Jiwoo were perfect matches on the badminton court, winning doubles easily.
Piotr knew that the experienced team would be a tough match for his squad.
- be a match for
- meet one's match
- good match
- tough match
- perfect match
- equal
frequently used as a noun meaning someone at the same level
- peer
more formal; someone of the same rank or status
- counterpart
a person or thing that fills a similar role elsewhere
- inferior
someone who is weaker or less skilled
Grammar Patterns
be a match for + opponent
meet one's match
Usage Note
Most commonly used in the phrase 'be a match for someone', meaning the person is equally capable in some skill. The idiom 'meet your match' means you finally face someone who is as good as you are.
Common Mistakes
5. used only in the fixed phrase 'be no match for' to describe someone or something
used only in the fixed phrase 'be no match for' to describe someone or something clearly outclassed by an opponent in strength or skill.
The local runners were no match for the Olympic athletes in the marathon.
be no match for — clearly inferior compared to
Quan's old laptop was no match for the new software his office required.
A small fishing boat is no match for a storm in the open ocean.
Hui tried to argue but her voice was no match for the angry crowd.
Renata's home-made kite was no match for the strong wind on the cliff.
- be no match for
- no match against
Grammar Patterns
be no match for + opponent
Usage Note
Almost always appears in the negative fixed phrase 'be no match for', which means 'be much weaker than'. It cannot be used in positive statements with the same meaning.
Common Mistakes
6. a thing that has similar qualities or looks attractive when placed together with
a thing that has similar qualities or looks attractive when placed together with another thing
The blue rug was a perfect match for the cream-coloured sofa in the living room.
a perfect match for [something]
Lien chose a red cushion that was a good match for her grandmother's old armchair.
The dark wooden table is an excellent match for the chairs from the antique shop.
Ayesha chose soft yellow walls as a good match for her grey sofa.
a good match for [something]
These floral curtains are not a good match for the striped wallpaper in the bedroom.
- a good match for
- a perfect match for
- a poor match for
- be a match for
- find a match
- complement
focuses on items that bring out the best in each other, like food and wine
- counterpart
more formal; describes one of two matching parts of a whole
Grammar Patterns
a + [adjective] + match + for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used with adjectives like 'good', 'perfect', 'excellent'. The object of 'for' is typically an object, colour, or design, not a person.
Common Mistakes
7. a person who has the right qualities, personality, or interests to form a succes
a person who has the right qualities, personality, or interests to form a successful romantic relationship with another person
Justin knew he and Salma were a perfect match after chatting about travel and books.
a perfect match for [somebody] — romantic suitability
The matchmaker introduced Wei to several people before finding a good match for him.
Elena knew Luis was not a good match — she wanted to settle down.
After her divorce, Mei looked for a match who shared her views on children.
Talia's family thought Hiro was a good match for her with similar background and goals.
a good match for [somebody] — family/personal context
- a good match for
- a perfect match
- find a match
- look for a match
- introduce a match
- soulmate
more emotional and idealistic; suggests a deep spiritual connection
- perfect partner
broader than 'match', can include business or activity partners
- mismatch
two people who are not suitable for each other
Grammar Patterns
a + [adjective] + match + for + person
Usage Note
Subject is usually a specific person being evaluated as a romantic partner. Often appears in discussions about marriage, dating, or arranged introductions. Contrast with sense 9, which describes two people as a well-suited pair rather than one person's suitability for another.
Common Mistakes
8. a pair of individuals or objects that form an excellent combination when joined
a pair of individuals or objects that form an excellent combination when joined together, creating a satisfying result
The Italian chef and the owner were a perfect match for the new bistro.
The red wine and the cheese were a wonderful match at the dinner party.
a wonderful match — two items as a pair
The two designers were an excellent match — one creative, the other technical.
Ayana and Nellie proved to be a surprising match in tennis with very different styles.
The old wooden table and metal chairs were an unlikely match yet looked beautiful together.
- a perfect match
- a wonderful match
- an excellent match
- a surprising match
- an unlikely match
- be a match
- perfect pair
less formal; commonly used for both people and objects
- ideal combination
more formal; used especially for abstract qualities or business partnerships
- mismatch
two things or people that do not work well together
- odd couple
informal; two people who seem unlikely to get along but sometimes do
Grammar Patterns
X and Y are a + [adjective] + match
Usage Note
Subject must be two or more entities evaluated as a unit. Contrast with sense 7, where the focus is on one thing's relationship to another, and with sense 8, which focuses on romantic suitability of one person for another.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- matchingadjectiveB1
- matchlessadjectiveC1
- unmatchedadjectiveC1
- mismatchnounB2
- mismatchverbB2
- matchmakernounB2
- matchmakingnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
The verb 'match' (as in matching a competitor's skill) overlaps with 'rival', which suggests active competition or the ability to challenge ('No one can rival their achievements'). 'Equal' is more formal and emphasises reaching the same standard ('Her speed equalled the world record'). 'Keep pace with' is a phrasal verb that focuses on not falling behind over time ('Wages have not kept pace with inflation'). 'Correspond' is broader and often describes abstract similarities rather than direct competition ('The data correspond to our predictions'). 'Parallel' suggests a structural similarity without direct interaction ('The two storylines parallel each other'). While 'match' often appears in negative constructions ('can't match', 'no match'), 'equal' works freely in both affirmative and negative settings.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'match' in English comes from two different historical roots that converged into the same spelling. The sense of 'mate, companion, or equal' (and later 'contest between equals') traces back to Old English 'gemæcca', meaning a companion or mate. The verb meaning 'to pair or join together' developed from this noun. Meanwhile, the sense of 'a fire-starting stick' comes from Old French 'meiche' (wick), from Latin 'myxa', which entered Middle English as 'mache'. By the 1500s, both lines had settled into the same form 'match'.
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a