pair
♦♦ pair /p'eər/ (pairs pairing paired)
1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body.
...a pair of socks.
...trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a pair...
72,000 pairs of hands clapped in unison to the song.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a pair, for example a pair of trousers or a pair of scissors.
...a pair of faded jeans.
...a pair of binoculars.
3 [N-SING]
You can refer to two people as a pair when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other.
A pair of teenage boys were smoking cigarettes...
4 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed with n
If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it.
The trainees will then be paired with experienced managers.
● pairing [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...the pairing of these two fine musicians.
5
see also au pair
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you say that someone is or has a safe pair of hands, you mean that they are reliable and will not make any serious mistakes. (BRIT JOURNALISM)
He has now held five cabinet posts and remains a safe pair of hands.au pair /'oʊ p'eər, AM 'ɔː -/ (au pairs)
[N-COUNT]
An au pair is a young person from a foreign country who lives with a family in order to learn the language and who helps to look after the children.pair off
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P with n, pl-n V P, also V P with n
When people pair off or are paired off, they form a pair, often in order to become girlfriend and boyfriend.
I knew she wouldn't be able to resist pairing me off with someone...
The squad members paired off to find places to eat and sleep.pair up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P, pl-n be V-ed, also V n P with n
If people pair up or are paired up, they form a pair, especially in order to do something together.
They asked us to pair up with the person next to us and form teams...
Men and teenage girls pair up to dance...
Smokers and nonsmokers are paired up as roommates.
1 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body.
...a pair of socks.
...trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a pair...
72,000 pairs of hands clapped in unison to the song.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a pair, for example a pair of trousers or a pair of scissors.
...a pair of faded jeans.
...a pair of binoculars.
3 [N-SING]
You can refer to two people as a pair when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other.
A pair of teenage boys were smoking cigarettes...
4 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed with n
If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it.
The trainees will then be paired with experienced managers.
● pairing [N-UNCOUNT] usu the N of n
...the pairing of these two fine musicians.
5
see also au pair
6 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If you say that someone is or has a safe pair of hands, you mean that they are reliable and will not make any serious mistakes. (BRIT JOURNALISM)
He has now held five cabinet posts and remains a safe pair of hands.au pair /'oʊ p'eər, AM 'ɔː -/ (au pairs)
[N-COUNT]
An au pair is a young person from a foreign country who lives with a family in order to learn the language and who helps to look after the children.pair off
[PHRASAL VERB] V n P with n, pl-n V P, also V P with n
When people pair off or are paired off, they form a pair, often in order to become girlfriend and boyfriend.
I knew she wouldn't be able to resist pairing me off with someone...
The squad members paired off to find places to eat and sleep.pair up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with n, pl-n V P, pl-n be V-ed, also V n P with n
If people pair up or are paired up, they form a pair, especially in order to do something together.
They asked us to pair up with the person next to us and form teams...
Men and teenage girls pair up to dance...
Smokers and nonsmokers are paired up as roommates.