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match

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verb British English pronunciation: match /mætʃ/ 
Word Forms
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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 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 US companies for size.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match
    1. a.
      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
  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 holidaymakers.

    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:

    They are matched against Holland in the first game.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of match

phrasal verbs

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

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for match.

 

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