match */*/*/

I UK [mætʃ] / US noun
Word forms "match":
singular match plural matches

1) [countable] a small stick that produces a flame when rubbed against a rough surface, used for lighting a fire, cigarette etc

a box of matches

light/strike a match:

He struck a match (= made it light) and lit the candles.

2)

a) [countable] a game in which players or teams compete against each other, especially in a sport. The usual American word is game

a football match

play a match:

This is the third international match they've played in a week.

win/lose a match:

They lost the Scotland match in the last five minutes.

b) in tennis, a competition consisting of a specific number of sets (= series of games)

3) [singular] a thing that forms an attractive combination with something else

The curtains are a good match for the sofa.

4) [countable] something that looks the same as something else

It was difficult to get an exact match for the paint.

•

- meet your match

- be more than a match for someone

- be no match for someone

See:

shouting match

II UK [mætʃ] / US verb
Word forms "match":
present tense I/you/we/they match he/she/it matches present participle matching past tense matched past participle matched

1) [intransitive/transitive] if one thing matches another, or if they match, they are the same or have similar qualities

They interview the suspects separately and check that their statements match.

He matches the description of a man seen in the area shortly after Wednesday's attack.

a) [intransitive/transitive] to belong to the same pair

The glove matches one found at the crime scene.

b) [transitive] to show that two things are related or are the same

Tests matched the blood on his clothes to that of the victim.

2)

a) [transitive] to be equal to something else in amount or level

Our office failed to match the growth of the rest of the company.

be matched by something:

The rise in student numbers has not been matched by an increase in teaching staff.

match something for something:

Japanese companies are beginning to match US companies for size.

b) to provide something that is equal in amount or level to something else

Groups have to match any grant they receive with their own cash.

3) [intransitive/transitive] if one thing matches another, or if they match, they form an attractive combination

The cream and pink quilt was made to match the decor.

She wore a green dress and a hat to match.

4) [transitive] to provide something that is suitable for a particular situation, person, or purpose

Courses are designed to match the training requirements of each student.

match something to someone/something:

It is vital to match the software to the task.

match something with someone/something:

We try to match the entertainments with the preferences of the holidaymakers.

5) [transitive] to make a person or team compete against a particular opponent

match someone against/with someone:

They are matched against Holland in the first game.

Phrasal verbs:

- match up