A1noun1K

Match

UK /["/mætʃ/"]/US /["/mætʃ/"]/

Definition

a sports event where people or teams compete against each other

In simple words: To be the same as something else or to go well together.

Examples

  • I watched the football match on TV last night.
  • The match between the two teams was very exciting.
  • He used a match to light the candle.
  • I need to find a match for this sock.
  • They had a match of skills in the competition.

Usage notes

Use 'match' when comparing items, like colors or styles. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where 'correspond' might be better.

Grammar pattern

match + object

Memory hint

Think of a pair of socks matching; they look alike and go together.

Collocations

  • boxing
  • chess
  • football
  • play
  • have
  • go to
  • take place
  • during a/​the match
  • in a/​the match
  • match against
  • excellent
  • good
  • perfect
  • find
  • make
  • match between
  • match for
  • meet your match
  • the right match
  • excellent
  • good
  • perfect
  • find
  • make
  • match between
  • match for
  • meet your match
  • the right match
  • exact
  • find
  • match for
  • lighted
  • lit
  • book
  • box
  • light
  • strike
  • blow out
  • put a match to something

Synonyms

  • correspond
  • fit
  • suit
  • align
  • pair

Antonyms

  • mismatch
  • disagree

Common mistakes

  • Confusing with 'mismatch' when talking about differences.
  • Using 'matches' as a verb incorrectly in past tense without context.
  • Using 'match' as a noun without proper context can be confusing.