match
♦♦♦ match /m'ætʃ/ (matches matching matched)
1 [N-COUNT]
A match is an organized game of football, tennis, cricket, or some other sport. (mainly BRIT)
He was watching a football match...
France won the match 28-19.
= game
2 [N-COUNT]
A match is a small wooden stick with a substance on one end that produces a flame when you rub it along the rough side of a matchbox.
...a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches.
3 [V-RECIP] V n, pl-n V, V n to/with n, V pl-n
If something of a particular colour or design matches another thing, they have the same colour or design, or have a pleasing appearance when they are used together.
Her nails were painted bright red to match her dress...
All the chairs matched...
You don't have to match your lipstick exactly to your outfit...
Mix and match your tableware and textiles from the new Design House collection.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with/to n, V n P with/to n
Match up means the same as match.
The pillow cover can match up with the sheets...
Because false eyelashes come in various lengths and shades, it's so easy to match them up with your own.
4 [V-RECIP] pl-n V, V with n, V n with n, also V pl-n
If something such as an amount or a quality matches with another amount or quality, they are both the same or equal. If you match two things, you make them the same or equal.
Their strengths in memory and spatial skills matched...
Our value system does not match with their value system.
...efforts to match demand with supply by building new schools.
5 [V-RECIP] V n with/to n, V pl-n, pl-n V, be V-ed with n
If one thing matches another, they are connected or suit each other in some way.
The students are asked to match the books with the authors...
It can take time and effort to match buyers and sellers...
The sale would only go ahead if the name and number matched...
Pictures of road signs are matched with their Highway Code meanings.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) with n, V n P with n, pl-n V P, V P to/with n, also V P pl-n
Match up means the same as match.
The consultant seeks to match up jobless professionals with small companies in need of expertise...
They compared the fat intake of groups of vegetarians and meat eaters, and matched their diets up with levels of harmful blood fats...
My sister and I never really matched up...
I'm sure that yellow lead matched up to that yellow socket.
6 [N-SING] adj N
If a combination of things or people is a good match, they have a pleasing effect when placed or used together.
Helen's choice of lipstick was a good match for her skin-tone...
Moira was a perfect match for him.
7 [VERB] V n
If you match something, you are as good as it or equal to it, for example in speed, size, or quality.
They played some fine attacking football, but I think we matched them in every respect...
8 [VERB] V n with/against n
In a sport or other contest, if you match one person or team against another, in sports or other contests, you make them compete with each other to see which one is better.
The finals of the Championship begin today, matching the United States against France...
9
see also matched, matching
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you meet your match, you find that you are competing or fighting against someone who you cannot beat because they are as good as you, or better than you.
I had finally met my match in power and intellect.
11 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
If one person or thing is no match for another, they are unable to compete successfully with the other person or thing.
I was no match for a man with such power...grudge match (grudge matches)
[N-COUNT]
You can call a contest between two people or groups a grudge match when they dislike each other.
This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.match play
[N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Match play is a form of golf where the game is scored by the number of holes someone wins rather than the number of strokes it takes them to complete the course.match point (match points)
[N-VAR]
In a game of tennis, match point is the situation when the player who is in the lead can win the whole match if they win the next point.match up
see match 3, 5match up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If someone or something does not match up to what was expected, they are smaller, less impressive, or of poorer quality.
Her career never quite matched up to its promise.re|turn match (return matches)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A return match is the second of two matches that are played by two sports teams or two players. (BRIT; in AM, use rematch)shout|ing match (shouting matches)
[N-COUNT] oft N with/between n
A shouting match is an angry quarrel in which people shout at each other.
We had a real shouting match with each other.slang|ing match /sl'æŋɪŋ mætʃ/ (slanging matches)
[N-COUNT]
A slanging match is an angry quarrel in which people insult each other. (BRIT)
They conducted a public slanging match.test match (test matches)
[N-COUNT]
In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries. (BRIT)
= test
1 [N-COUNT]
A match is an organized game of football, tennis, cricket, or some other sport. (mainly BRIT)
He was watching a football match...
France won the match 28-19.
= game
2 [N-COUNT]
A match is a small wooden stick with a substance on one end that produces a flame when you rub it along the rough side of a matchbox.
...a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches.
3 [V-RECIP] V n, pl-n V, V n to/with n, V pl-n
If something of a particular colour or design matches another thing, they have the same colour or design, or have a pleasing appearance when they are used together.
Her nails were painted bright red to match her dress...
All the chairs matched...
You don't have to match your lipstick exactly to your outfit...
Mix and match your tableware and textiles from the new Design House collection.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P with/to n, V n P with/to n
Match up means the same as match.
The pillow cover can match up with the sheets...
Because false eyelashes come in various lengths and shades, it's so easy to match them up with your own.
4 [V-RECIP] pl-n V, V with n, V n with n, also V pl-n
If something such as an amount or a quality matches with another amount or quality, they are both the same or equal. If you match two things, you make them the same or equal.
Their strengths in memory and spatial skills matched...
Our value system does not match with their value system.
...efforts to match demand with supply by building new schools.
5 [V-RECIP] V n with/to n, V pl-n, pl-n V, be V-ed with n
If one thing matches another, they are connected or suit each other in some way.
The students are asked to match the books with the authors...
It can take time and effort to match buyers and sellers...
The sale would only go ahead if the name and number matched...
Pictures of road signs are matched with their Highway Code meanings.
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron) with n, V n P with n, pl-n V P, V P to/with n, also V P pl-n
Match up means the same as match.
The consultant seeks to match up jobless professionals with small companies in need of expertise...
They compared the fat intake of groups of vegetarians and meat eaters, and matched their diets up with levels of harmful blood fats...
My sister and I never really matched up...
I'm sure that yellow lead matched up to that yellow socket.
6 [N-SING] adj N
If a combination of things or people is a good match, they have a pleasing effect when placed or used together.
Helen's choice of lipstick was a good match for her skin-tone...
Moira was a perfect match for him.
7 [VERB] V n
If you match something, you are as good as it or equal to it, for example in speed, size, or quality.
They played some fine attacking football, but I think we matched them in every respect...
8 [VERB] V n with/against n
In a sport or other contest, if you match one person or team against another, in sports or other contests, you make them compete with each other to see which one is better.
The finals of the Championship begin today, matching the United States against France...
9
see also matched, matching
10 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you meet your match, you find that you are competing or fighting against someone who you cannot beat because they are as good as you, or better than you.
I had finally met my match in power and intellect.
11 [PHRASE] v-link PHR, PHR n
If one person or thing is no match for another, they are unable to compete successfully with the other person or thing.
I was no match for a man with such power...grudge match (grudge matches)
[N-COUNT]
You can call a contest between two people or groups a grudge match when they dislike each other.
This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.match play
[N-UNCOUNT] usu N n
Match play is a form of golf where the game is scored by the number of holes someone wins rather than the number of strokes it takes them to complete the course.match point (match points)
[N-VAR]
In a game of tennis, match point is the situation when the player who is in the lead can win the whole match if they win the next point.match up
see match 3, 5match up to
[PHRASAL VERB] V P P n
If someone or something does not match up to what was expected, they are smaller, less impressive, or of poorer quality.
Her career never quite matched up to its promise.re|turn match (return matches)
[N-COUNT] usu sing
A return match is the second of two matches that are played by two sports teams or two players. (BRIT; in AM, use rematch)shout|ing match (shouting matches)
[N-COUNT] oft N with/between n
A shouting match is an angry quarrel in which people shout at each other.
We had a real shouting match with each other.slang|ing match /sl'æŋɪŋ mætʃ/ (slanging matches)
[N-COUNT]
A slanging match is an angry quarrel in which people insult each other. (BRIT)
They conducted a public slanging match.test match (test matches)
[N-COUNT]
In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries. (BRIT)
= test