match (matches plural & 3rd person present) (matching present participle) (matched past tense & past participle )
1 n-count A match is an organized game of football, tennis, cricket, or some other sport.
(mainly BRIT)
(=game)
He was watching a football match..., France won the match 28-19.
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 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... V n
All the chairs matched... pl-n V
You don't have to match your lipstick exactly to your outfit... V n to/with n
Mix and match your tableware and textiles from the new Design House collection. V pl-n
Match up means the same as match., phrasal verb
The pillow cover can match up with the sheets... V P with/to n
Because false eyelashes come in various lengths and shades, it's so easy to match them up with your own. V n P with/to n
4 v-recip If something such as an amount or a quality matcheswith 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... pl-n V
Our value system does not match with their value system. V with n
...efforts to match demand with supply by building new schools. V n with n, Also V pl-n
5 v-recip 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... V n with/to n
It can take time and effort to match buyers and sellers... V pl-n
The sale would only go ahead if the name and number matched... pl-n V
Pictures of road signs are matched with their Highway Code meanings. be V-ed with n
Match up means the same as match., phrasal verb
The consultant seeks to match up jobless professionals with small companies in need of expertise... V P n (not pron) with n
They compared the fat intake of groups of vegetarians and meat eaters, and matched their diets up with levels of harmful blood fats... V n P with n
My sister and I never really matched up... pl-n V P
I'm sure that yellow lead matched up to that yellow socket. V P to/with n, Also V P pl-n
6 n-sing If a combination of things or people is a good match, they have a pleasing effect when placed or used together.
adj N
Helen's choice of lipstick was a good match for her skin-tone..., Moira was a perfect match for him.
7 verb 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... V n
8 verb 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... V n with/against n
10 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.
meet your match phrase V inflects
I had finally met my match in power and intellect.
11 If one person or thing is no match for another, they are unable to compete successfully with the other person or thing.
no match for phrase v-link PHR, PHR n I was no match for a man with such power... match up →
match 3, 5 match up to phrasal verb 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. V P P n
grudge match (grudge matches plural )You can call a contest between two people or groups a grudge match when they dislike each other. n-count
This is something of a grudge match against a long-term enemy.
match play
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. n-uncount usu N n
match point (match points plural )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. n-var
return match (return matches plural )A return match is the second of two matches that are played by two sports teams or two players.
(BRIT) n-count usu sing
in AM, use rematch
shouting match (shouting matches plural )A shouting match is an angry quarrel in which people shout at each other. n-count oft N with/between n
We had a real shouting match with each other.
slanging match (slanging matches plural )A slanging match is an angry quarrel in which people insult each other.
(BRIT) n-count
They conducted a public slanging match.
test match (test matches plural )In cricket and rugby, a test match is a one of a series of matches played between teams representing two countries.
(BRIT) n-count
(=test)
