1
a
: a person or thing equal or similar to another
b
: one able to cope with another
He was no match for his opponent.
c
: an exact counterpart
a lake that was almost the match of one he remembered from Switzerland
2
: a pair suitably associated
carpet and curtains are a match
3
a
: a contest between two or more parties
a golf match
a soccer match
a shouting match
b
: a contest (as in tennis or volleyball) completed when one player or side wins a specified number of sets or games
4
a
: a marriage union
b
: a prospective (see prospective sense 2b) partner in marriage
would make a good match for any man
matched; matching; matches
1
a
: to encounter successfully as an antagonist
b(1)
: to set in competition or opposition
(2)
: to provide with a worthy competitor
c
: to set in comparison
2
: to join or give in marriage
3
a(1)
: to put in a set possessing equal or harmonizing attributes
(2)
: to cause to correspond : suit
matched programs to local needs
b(1)
: to be the counterpart of
also
: to compare favorably with
(2)
: to harmonize with
the jacket matched the pants
c
: to provide with a counterpart
d
: to provide funds complementary to
employers may match the employee contribution—
D. J. Miller
D. J. Miller4
: to fit together or make suitable for fitting together
5
a
: to flip or toss (coins) and compare exposed faces
b
: to toss coins with
: to be a counterpart
matcher
noun
1
: a chemically prepared wick or cord formerly used in firing firearms or powder
2
: 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)
Examples of match in a Sentence
Noun (1)
a chess match
from all appearances those two have got a good match there
I can't find the match to this sock
for a wife he wants a woman who will be his match in every aspect of their lives
Erin is so nearly my exact match you'd think she must be my twin and not just my cousin
the discussion soon degenerated into a pointless shouting match
Verb
This color matches your skin tone.
She was wearing a beautiful skirt, but her sweater didn't match it.
The upbeat music matched her mood.
Her skirt and sweater matched perfectly.
The pillows on the couch all match.
Your socks don't match each other.
His story doesn't match the facts.
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One in three Black blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease, according to the Red Cross.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
No one won the jackpot on Monday, but three tickets in New York matched five numbers to win $1 million each.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for match
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Days later, the player remembered to check his ticket and found his number combination was an exact match, scoring him a $50,000 prize, lottery officials said.
—Daniella Segura, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2025
One in three Black blood donors is a match for people with sickle cell disease, according to the Red Cross.
—Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
This one has a subtle geometric pattern in a neutral shade that will match any patio setup.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025
No one won the jackpot on Monday, but three tickets in New York matched five numbers to win $1 million each.
—Ray Padilla, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for match
Cite this Entry
“Match.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/match. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
match
1 of 3 noun1
a
: a person or thing that is equal or similar to or exactly like another
b
: one that can compete or fight successfully with another
a match for the enemy
2
: two persons or things that go well together
curtains and carpet are a good match
3
: a contest between two or more parties
a tennis match
4
b
: a person to be considered as a marriage partner
match
2 of 3 verb1
: to meet successfully as a competitor
2
a
: to place in competition
matched my strength with my friend's
b
: to provide with a worthy competitor
3
: to join or give in marriage
4
a
: to make or find the equal or the like of
b
: to make correspond
c
: to be the same as or suitable to one another
do these colors match?
5
: to flip or toss coins and compare upper surfaces
matcher
noun
match
3 of 3 noun1
: an evenly burning wick or cord formerly used to ignite a charge of powder
2
: a short slender piece of material (as wood) tipped with a mixture that ignites when scratched against something else
Etymology
Noun
Old English gemæcca "mate, equal"
Noun
Middle English macche "a wick," from early French meiche (same meaning)
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