Match — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmach/

Meaning & Definition of Match

Match (noun)

  1. a person or thing equal or similar to another
  2. one able to cope with another
  3. an exact counterpart
  4. a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder
  5. a short slender piece of flammable material (such as wood) tipped with a combustible mixture that bursts into flame when slightly heated through friction (as by being scratched against a rough surface)

Match (verb)

  1. to encounter successfully as an antagonist
  2. to set in competition or opposition
  3. to provide with a worthy competitor

Match (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a competitive encounter between individuals or groups carried on for amusement, exercise, or in pursuit of a prize

    "a chess match"

    similar: bout, competition, contest, event, game, matchup, meet, sweepstakes, tournament, tourney
    related: athletics, sport, battle, conflict, scrimmage, skirmish, struggle, tug-of-war, tussle, championship, national(s), final, nightcap, play-off, semifinal, derby, field day, gymkhana, open, outing, biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon, triathlon, marathon, race, ultramarathon, heat, round, run, set, rally, volley, round-robin, rubber, runoff, sudden death, dead heat, photo finish, seesaw, classic

  2. a union representing a special kind of social and legal partnership between two people

    "from all appearances those two have got a good match there"

    similar: conjugality, connubiality, marriage, matrimony, wedlock
    related: monogamy, bigamy, polyandry, polygamy, polygyny, intermarriage, miscegenation, mixed marriage, remarriage, cohabitation, common-law marriage, civil union, domestic partnership, attachment, commitment, relationship, betrothal, engagement, espousal, hand, pledge, promise, proposal, troth
    near: annulment, divorce, separation

  3. either of a pair matched in one or more qualities

    "I can't find the match to this sock"

    similar: companion, fellow, half, mate, twin
    related: coordinate, coequal, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival, carbon copy, double, duplicate, facsimile, identical twin, likeness, mirror image, replica, ringer, analogue, similarity
    near: antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse

  4. one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value

    "for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives"

    similar: coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, fellow, like, parallel, peer, rival
    related: analogue, double, half, mate, twin, associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner, competitor

  5. something or someone that strongly resembles another

    "Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin"

    similar: alter ego, carbon, carbon copy, clone, counterpart, doppelgänger, double, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, fetch, image, likeness, look-alike, mirror image, picture, replica, ringer, spit, spitting image, twin
    related: effigy, portrait, portrayal, companion, fellow, mate, equal, equivalent, analogue, parallel
    near: antithesis, converse, opposite, reverse

  6. an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another

    "the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match"

    similar: ball game, battle, combat, competition, conflict, confrontation, contention, contest, dogfight, duel, face-off, grapple, rivalry, strife, struggle, sweepstakes, tug-of-war, war, warfare
    related: horse race, nail-biter, showdown, clash, collision, discord, friction, argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension, quarrel, row, wrangle
    near: concord, harmony, peace

Match (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be the exact counterpart of

    "does this handbag's shade of blue match my navy blue pants?"

    "the rare blood type that exactly matched that of the transplant recipient"

    similar: correspond (to), equal, parallel
    related: blend (with), conform (to), coordinate (with), go (with), harmonize (with), complement, supplement, counterbalance, counterpoise, echo, image, mirror, repeat, add up (to), amount (to), approach, come (to), near, measure (up), partake (of), rival, suggest

  2. to give in marriage

    "they were happy to match their daughter to a man from a good family"

    similar: espouse, marry, wed
    related: commit, engage, affiance, betroth, pledge, promise

  3. to produce something equal to (as in quality or value)

    "no one has ever been able to match that novel for its portrayal of the horrors of war"

    similar: equal, meet, tie
    related: beat, better, eclipse, excel, outdistance, outdo, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend, amount (to), approach, touch, approximate, keep up, measure up (to), parallel, rival, stack up (against or with)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Match

The most common words with a similar meaning to Match:

bout, competition, contest, event, game, matchup, meet, sweepstakes, tournament, tourney, conjugality, connubiality, marriage, matrimony, wedlock, companion, fellow, half, mate, twin, coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equal, equivalent, like, parallel, peer, rival, alter ego, carbon, carbon copy, clone, doppelgänger, double, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, fetch

Related Words for Match

athletics, sport, scrimmage, skirmish, tussle, championship, national(s), final, nightcap, play-off, semifinal, derby, field day, gymkhana, open, outing, biathlon, decathlon, heptathlon, pentathlon, triathlon, marathon, race, ultramarathon, heat, round, run, set, rally, volley

Near Antonyms of Match

annulment, divorce, separation, antipode, antithesis, contrary, converse, opposite, reverse, concord, harmony, peace

Word Forms of Match

Inflections: matched, matching, matches

Derived words: matchable (adjective), matcher (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Match

Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make make:1

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Match

Words & Phrases Containing Match

match play, match point, match up to, book-match, safety match, slanging match, slow match

Frequently Asked Questions about Match

What does "Match" mean?

"Match" means a person or thing equal or similar to another. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a person or thing equal or similar to another. It has 9 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Match"?

Other words for "Match" include bout, competition, contest, event, game, matchup, meet and sweepstakes. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Match" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Match"?

There are 201 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Match". Common alternatives include bout, competition, contest, event, game, matchup, meet, sweepstakes, tournament and tourney.

How do you use "Match" in a sentence?

Examples of "Match" in a sentence: "a chess match"; "from all appearances those two have got a good match there"; "I can't find the match to this sock".

Is "Match" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Match" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Match" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Match" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Match"?

"Match" is pronounced /ˈmach/.

What is the origin of the word "Match"?

"Match" comes from Middle English macche, from Old English gemæcca mate, equal; akin to Old English macian to make make:1. First known use: before 12th century.