match
match — verb
1. to reach the same high standard as another person or thing in a competitive sett
to reach the same high standard as another person or thing in a competitive setting — for instance, a young singer whose stage presence equals that of a performer who has been in the business for twenty years.
No other runner in the school could match Rania's speed on the track.
match + noun phrase for equal performance
The new café's coffee matched the quality of the famous shop across the street.
Hyun studied every evening to match his sister's score on the maths test.
match + possessive noun + noun phrase
The service at this small hotel matches what you expect from a five-star resort.
Sana's cooking skills match those of any professional chef in the city.
match + those of + noun phrase for comparing skills
- match the quality
- match the speed
- cannot match
- hard to match
- match a record
- fall short of
suggests not reaching the expected level
- pale beside
literary register; emphasises being much less impressive
Grammar Patterns
match + noun phrase (the person or thing being equalled)
Usage Note
Often used in negative or comparative contexts, for example with 'cannot', 'no one can', or 'hard to'. The verb implies an active comparison rather than a simple statement of equality.
Common Mistakes
2. said of colours, patterns, objects, or designs that look good together because t
said of colours, patterns, objects, or designs that look good together because they share the same tone or style. For example, a red bag that goes well with red shoes, or curtain fabric whose print echoes the cushions on the sofa.
Élise wore a blue scarf that matched her winter coat perfectly.
transitive: match + noun phrase for visual harmony
The two chairs do not match, but they still look good in the same room.
intransitive: two things match / do not match
These curtains match the colour of the walls in the living room.
Manuela picked a handbag that matched her new boots for the wedding.
The dark wooden table in the hall matches the old cabinets in the kitchen.
subject-verb-object: inanimate subject + match + object
- colours match
- patterns match
- match perfectly
- match exactly
- clothes match
- go with
less formal; common in everyday conversation
- suit
focuses on one item flattering or fitting another
- complement
more formal; implies the items enhance each other's qualities
Grammar Patterns
two things match (intransitive)
match + noun phrase with + noun phrase (transitive)
Usage Note
Can be used both transitively ('This shirt matches those trousers') and intransitively ('The two colours match well'). When both items are the subject, use the intransitive form. When one item is the subject and the other is the object, use the transitive form without a preposition.
Common Mistakes
3. to bring together a person and another person, or a person and an object, on the
to bring together a person and another person, or a person and an object, on the basis that they will get along, work well, or be the right fit — like a programme that links international students with local families who share their interests.
The programme matched Eitan with a host family near his new school.
match + person + with + person/group
Ryan matched each question on the test with the correct answer.
The website matches new graduates with companies that need their skills.
match + noun phrase + with + noun phrase for pairing
Sade was matched with an experienced guide for her first mountain climb.
The teacher matched each student with a project that suited their interests.
passive: be matched with + noun phrase
- match with
- be matched with
- match to
- match against
- pair
simpler and more direct; common in everyday contexts
- couple
often used for romantic or functional pairings
- coordinate
suggests organising multiple items together
Grammar Patterns
match + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
be matched with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'with' to introduce the paired item or person. The passive form 'be matched with' is common, especially when an external person or system does the pairing. Distinguish from sense 1 ('EQUAL OR RIVAL'): here the focus is on choosing suitable partners or items, not on equalling a level of performance.
Common Mistakes
match — noun
1. An organised contest where two individuals or sides play against each other to d
An organised contest where two individuals or sides play against each other to determine the winner.
The football match between Ilan's school and Aarav's team ended in a draw.
collocation: football match / tennis match / rugby match
More than twenty thousand fans watched the tennis match at the stadium.
Hugo injured his ankle during the rugby match and had to leave the field.
The match that Rania watched last night went into extra time.
grammar: relative clause with 'that'
Heavy rain forced the referee to stop the match early.
- win a match
- lose a match
- play a match
- tennis match
- football match
- boxing match
- final match
- game
More common in American English; also used for informal play rather than formal competition
- contest
More formal; can refer to any competition, not just sports
- competition
Broader meaning; can refer to a series of matches or a non-sport event
Usage Note
In American English, 'game' is more common for most sports. 'Match' is used in British English and for sports like tennis, boxing, and football (soccer).
Common Mistakes
2. A player chosen by officials as giving the top performance during a particular g
A player chosen by officials as giving the top performance during a particular game.
After the final whistle, the coach announced Abigail as player of the match for her two goals.
phrase: 'player of the match' for best performer in a game
The local newspaper wrote about Takeshi, who was named player of the match for Saturday's game.
Fans voted online for Christopher as player of the match after his winning save.
A trophy was given to Élise, the player of the match in the tournament final.
- be the match
- named the match
- player of the match
- man of the match
The full standard phrase; sometimes considered old-fashioned for female players
- player of the match
Gender-neutral alternative, increasingly common
- MVP (most valuable player)
American English equivalent; used across many sports
Usage Note
This use is primarily British, especially in football (soccer) and cricket reporting. The fuller phrase 'man of the match' or 'player of the match' is more common than 'the match' alone.
Common Mistakes
3. A thin strip of wood or stiff paper tipped with a chemical compound that ignites
A thin strip of wood or stiff paper tipped with a chemical compound that ignites when rubbed on a rough surface.
Pim lit a match and held it to the candle wick.
collocation: light a match / strike a match
The box of matches was wet, so we could not start a fire.
Anthony struck a match against the side of the matchbox.
Ilan used a match to light the candles on his birthday cake.
A single match can start a campfire if the wood is dry enough.
structure: passive possibility with 'can'
- light a match
- strike a match
- box of matches
- matchbox
- matchstick
More specific; often refers to the wooden stick itself, whether or not it has been used
Common Mistakes
4. A match that is already burning, used to set another object on fire.
A match that is already burning, used to set another object on fire.
The campfire caught quickly when Heloísa dropped a lighted match onto the dry leaves.
collocation: lighted match / lit match
Zuri dropped the burning match into the sink before it could burn his fingers.
Eshe carefully carried the lit match from the fireplace to the candle.
Aarav put the used match in water to make sure it was out.
- lighted match
- lit match
- burning match
- used match
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 describes the match as an object before it is used, while sense 4 refers to a match that is actively burning or has just been lit.
Common Mistakes
5. Someone or something that can compete equally with another because of similar st
Someone or something that can compete equally with another because of similar strength, skill, or quality.
In the chess tournament, Aarav finally met his match when he played against the grandmaster.
fixed phrase: 'meet your match'
Rania was a match for any runner on the track team.
The young singer proved to be more than a match for the established performers.
idiom: 'more than a match for'
No one on the team was a match for Takeshi when it came to speed.
- be a match for
- meet your match
- more than a match for
- no match for
- equal
More direct synonym; 'match' is more idiomatic in sports and competitive contexts
- peer
More formal; suggests similar social or professional standing
- counterpart
Refers to someone in a similar role or position, not necessarily equal in ability
- inferior
Someone who is less capable or skilled
Grammar Patterns
be a match for [someone/something]
Usage Note
Almost always used in the phrase 'be a match for someone/something' or 'meet one's match'. The negative form 'be no match for' belongs to sense 6.
Common Mistakes
6. Used to say that someone or something is less powerful, effective, or skilful th
Used to say that someone or something is less powerful, effective, or skilful than another person or thing, so they cannot compete equally.
The old wooden boat was no match for the powerful ocean waves.
fixed phrase: 'be no match for'
Christopher was no match for his opponent, who had trained for many years.
His small savings were no match for the huge medical bills.
A paper umbrella is no match for a strong wind.
- be no match for
- inferior to
More direct and formal, but lacks the idiomatic flavour of 'no match for'
- outclassed by
Stronger; suggests a clear difference in quality
- be a match for
The positive equivalent — being equally capable
Grammar Patterns
be no match for [someone/something]
Usage Note
This sense exists only in the fixed negative construction 'be no match for'. The positive equivalent is sense 5 ('be a match for').
Common Mistakes
7. an object, colour, or quality that resembles another object or fits together wit
an object, colour, or quality that resembles another object or fits together with it in a pleasing or practical way — for example, when a new paint colour looks the same as the one already on your wall, it is a match.
The paint shop helped Amihan find a perfect match for her old living-room colour.
collocation: perfect match for
That woollen scarf is a good match for your blue winter coat.
collocation: good match for
The dining table came with six chairs, but the two extra seats are not an exact match.
collocation: exact match
Yan's previous work experience was a surprisingly close match for the new job requirements.
- perfect match
- good match
- exact match
- close match
- match for
- counterpart
a person or thing that has the same position or purpose as another in a different system; more formal and less about visual appearance
- equivalent
a thing equal in value, amount, or meaning; focuses on function rather than appearance
- opposite
something completely different in nature or character
Grammar Patterns
a match for [something]
a match between [two things]
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives like perfect, good, close, or exact to describe how similar or suitable something is.
Common Mistakes
8. two people in a romantic relationship whose personalities, values, or life goals
two people in a romantic relationship whose personalities, values, or life goals fit well together — for example, a couple who share the same interests and treat each other with respect is called a good match.
Everyone said that Ayana and Kian were a perfect match because they both loved travel and music.
collocation: perfect match (romantic relationship)
João and Élise are a good match — they share the same goals and enjoy each other's company.
In the old days, families often tried to arrange a match between their children.
idiomatic: arrange a match = arrange a marriage
The match between the two young people pleased both families greatly.
- perfect match
- good match
- arrange a match
- make a match
- partnership
broader; can refer to any joint relationship, not only romantic
- union
more formal; often used for marriages specifically
Grammar Patterns
a [adjective] match
[two people] are a match
Usage Note
Can refer either to the relationship itself (a marriage union) or to the people in it (a prospective partner). In older or more formal contexts, arrange a match means to arrange a marriage.
9. a pair, whether of people or objects, that works or appears excellent when put t
a pair, whether of people or objects, that works or appears excellent when put together — for example, a business duo whose skills fit each other perfectly, or a combination of food flavours that taste wonderful side by side.
As business partners, Yael and Christopher are a perfect match — one handles design and the other handles sales.
collocation: perfect match (working relationship)
Wine and cheese are a classic match that has been enjoyed for centuries.
The designer thought the bright curtains and the dark floor were an unlikely match, yet they looked wonderful together.
adjective: unlikely match
In the cooking contest, sweet and salty flavours proved a surprising match.
- perfect match
- classic match
- unlikely match
- surprising match
- combination
more neutral; does not imply the pairing is especially good
- pairing
often used for food, drink, or colours that complement each other
- mismatch
a combination that does not work well together
Grammar Patterns
[A] and [B] are a match
[A] is a [adjective] match with [B]
meet your match
idiomTo encounter someone who is as good as or better than you at something, especially when you are used to being the best.
Hugo was the fastest runner on the team until he met his match at the national competition.
The young lawyer thought the case would be easy, but she met her match in the experienced judge.
A relationship or combination of two people or things that is perfect and seems to have been arranged by fate.
The chef and the restaurant owner were a match made in heaven — their skills complemented each other perfectly.
Some people think that Ilan and Rania are a match made in heaven because they share so many interests.
To encounter someone who is as good as or better than you at something.
Maya thought she was the fastest runner, but she met her match in Diego.
Have you ever found your match in a game of chess?
The player who is selected as the best performer in a sports game.
After scoring two goals, Aiden was named man of the match.
Who do you think will be the man of the match tonight?
Word family
- matchlessadjectiveC1
- unmatchedadjectiveB2
- matchmakernounB2
- matchmakingnounC1
- mismatchnounB2
- mismatchverbC1
- matchingadjectiveB1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All four words describe events where people or teams try to win, but they differ in scope and region. 'Match' is the usual word in British English for sports like football, tennis, and boxing — a fixed meeting between two sides ('a three-set tennis match'). 'Game' is more common in American English and suits informal play as much as formal fixtures ('a basketball game'). 'Contest' is broader and more formal; it covers sports, elections, and creative events ('a singing contest', 'a leadership contest'). 'Competition' is the broadest — it can mean a single event, but often refers to the whole activity of trying to beat others ('the competition for the gold medal was fierce'). In British English, say 'tennis match'; in American English, 'tennis match' and 'tennis game' both occur, but 'game' is far more frequent for team sports.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'match' comes from two separate historical roots that have since merged into one word in English. The senses involving contests, partners, and equal ability derive from Old English 'gemæcca', meaning a mate, companion, or spouse. The senses about the small stick for lighting fires trace back through Old French 'mesche' (the wick of a candle) to Latin 'myxa' (a lamp nozzle). Over time, speakers of English began using the same spelling and pronunciation for both origins, creating a single word with a wide range of meanings.