Macmillan Dictionary

Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

match

 - definition
 
 
 
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
verb American English pronunciation: match /mætʃ/ 
Word Forms
Close
present tense
I/you/we/theymatch
he/she/itmatches
present participlematching
past tensematched
past participlematched
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] if one thing matches another, or if they match, they are the same or have similar qualities

    They interview the suspects separately and check that their statements match.

    He matches the description of a man seen in the area shortly after Wednesday's attack.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to belong to the same pair

      The glove matches one found at the crime scene.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
    2. b.
      [transitive] to show that two things are related or are the same

      Tests matched the blood on his clothes to that of the victim.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
  2. 2
    [transitive] to provide something that is equal in amount or level to something else

    Groups have to match any grant they receive with their own cash.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
    1. a.
      to be equal to something else in amount or level

      Our office failed to match the growth of the rest of the company.

      be matched by something:

      The rise in student numbers has not been matched by an increase in teaching staff.

      match something for something:

      Japanese companies are beginning to match U.S. companies for size.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if one thing matches another, or if they match, they form an attractive combination

    The cream-and-pink quilt was made to match the decor.

    She wore a green dress and a hat to match.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
  4. 4
    [transitive] to provide something that is suitable for a particular situation, person, or purpose

    Courses are designed to match the training requirements of each student.

    match something to someone/something:

    It is vital to match the software to the task.

    match something with someone/something:

    We try to match the entertainments with the preferences of the vacationers.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
  5. 5
    [transitive] to make a person or team compete against a particular opponent
    match someone against/with someone:

    He is matched with the former champion, Spassky, in the first game.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match

phrasal verbs

This is the American English definition of match. View British English definition of match.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for match.

 

caxirola

a percussion instrument used by football fans which makes a rattling sound when shaken

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day

emancipation

the process of giving freedom and rights to someone

Open Dictionary

pierce the corporate veil

… the decision to treat the rights and duties of a company as being the same as the rights and duties of its shareholders

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog