4 VERB 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. □ [V ] Their strengths in memory and spatial skills matched. □ [V + with ] Our value system does not match with their value system. □ [V n + with ] …efforts to match demand with supply by building new schools. [Also V n]
5 VERB If one thing matches another, they are connected or suit each other in some way. □ [V n + with/to ] The students are asked to match the books with the authors. □ [V n] It can take time and effort to match buyers and sellers. □ [V ] The sale would only go ahead if the name and number matched. □ [be V -ed + with ] Pictures of road signs are matched with their Highway Code meanings. ● PHRASAL VERB Match up means the same as match . □ [V P n + with ] The consultant seeks to match up jobless professionals with small companies in need of expertise. □ [V n P + with ] With this app, friends of singles match them up with other users. □ [V P ] My sister and I never really matched up. □ [V P + to/with ] I'm sure that yellow lead matched up to that yellow socket. [Also V P n]
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 If you match something, you are as good as it or equal to it, for example in speed, size, or quality. □ [V n] They played some fine attacking football, but I think we matched them in every respect.
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. □ [V n + with/against ] The finals begin today, matching Chelsea against Manchester United.
9 → see also matched , matching
10 PHRASE 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 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.
▸ match up → see match 3 , match 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. □ [V P P n] Her career never quite matched up to its promise. USAGE match
Don’t use ‘matches to’. For example, don’t say ‘
match|box /mæ tʃbɒks/ (matchboxes ) N‑COUNT A matchbox is a small box that you buy with matches in it.
matched /mæ tʃt/
1 ADJ [adv ADJ ] If you say that two people are well matched , you mean that they have qualities that will enable them to have a good relationship. □ My parents were not very well matched.
2 ADJ [adv ADJ ] In sports and other competitions, if the two opponents or teams are well matched , they are both of the same standard in strength or ability. □ Two well-matched sides conjured up an entertaining game.
match|ing /mæ tʃ I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Matching is used to describe things which are of the same colour or design. □ …a coat and a matching handbag.
match|less /mæ tʃləs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use matchless to emphasize that you think something is extremely good. [EMPHASIS ] □ A timeless comic actor–his simplicity and his apparent ease are matchless. □ The Savoy provides a matchless hotel experience.
match|maker /mæ tʃme I kə r / (matchmakers ) N‑COUNT A matchmaker is someone who tries to encourage people they know to form a romantic relationship or to get married. □ Some friends played matchmaker and had us both over to dinner.
match|making /mæ tʃme I k I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Matchmaking is the activity of encouraging people you know to form relationships or get married.
ma tch 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.
ma tch poi nt (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|stick /mæ tʃst I k/ (matchsticks ) N‑COUNT A matchstick is the wooden part of a match.
mate ◆◇◇ /me I t/ (mates , mating , mated )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] You can refer to someone's friends as their mates , especially when you are talking about a man and his male friends. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ He's off drinking with his mates.
2 N‑COUNT Some men use mate as a way of addressing other men when they are talking to them. [BRIT , INFORMAL ] □ Come on mate, things aren't that bad.