- 1 [countable] a small stick made of wood or cardboard that is used for lighting a fire, cigarette, etc. a box of matches to strike a match (= to make it burn) to put a match to something (= set fire to something) If you suspect a gas leak do not strike a match or use electricity. He took all her letters into the yard and put a match to them. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivelighted, lit … of matchesbook, box verb + matchlight, strike, blow out, … phrasesput a match to something See full entry in sport
- 2 [countable] (especially British English) a sports event where people or teams compete against each other (British English) a football match (North American English, British English) a tennis match They are playing an important match against Liverpool on Saturday. to win/lose a match see also shooting match, slanging match, Test match Wordfindersportathlete, champion, compete, fixture, match, record, spectator, sport, stadium, tournament Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveboxing, chess, football, … verb + matchplay, have, go to, … match + verbtake place prepositionduring a/the match, in a/the match, match against, … See full entry an equal
- 3[singular] a match for somebody | somebody’s match a person who is equal to somebody else in strength, skill, intelligence, etc. I was no match for him at tennis. I was his match at tennis. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexcellent, good, perfect, … verb + matchfind, make prepositionmatch between, match for phrasesmeet your match, the right match See full entry somebody/something that combines well
- 4 [singular] a person or thing that combines well with somebody/something else The curtains and carpet are a good match. Jo and Ian are a perfect match for each other. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexcellent, good, perfect, … verb + matchfind, make prepositionmatch between, match for phrasesmeet your match, the right match See full entry something the same
- 5[countable] a thing that looks exactly the same as or very similar to something else I've found a vase that is an exact match of the one I broke. This paint is a close enough colour match to the original. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveexact verb + matchfind prepositionmatch for See full entry marriage
- 6[countable] (old-fashioned) a marriage or a marriage partner He was determined that his daughter should make a good match (= find a suitable husband). see also love match See related entries: Marriage Word Originnoun senses 2 to 6 Old English gemæcca ‘mate, companion’, of West Germanic origin; related to the base of make. noun sense 1 late Middle English (in the sense ‘wick of a candle’): from Old French meche, perhaps from Latin myxa ‘spout of a lamp’, later ‘lamp wick’.Extra examples Figo had an outstanding match. Freddie and Kate are a perfect match. He almost made it to the final match. He lit a match so they could see in the cave. He’s such a keen fan, he even goes to all the away matches. I think he’s finally met his match in Lisa. Lubov fought back to tie the match. Our job is to find the right match for our clients. She has a rare blood type, and finding a match could take years. She was injured in last week’s match. Some fans travel miles to go to away matches. Someone had put a match to the pile of papers. That jumper should be a good match for your trousers. The blouse and skirt are a perfect match. The match will be played in the new stadium. The team had an excellent match. The two of them then got into a shouting match. They lost their match with Estonia. They managed to level the match, then went 2–1 ahead. This fabric makes a good match for the wallpaper. To forge the certificate, she needed an exact match for the paper and the fonts. We were just having a little verbal sparring match. You need to feel confident that the candidate is the right match. a grudge match between two of the best teams in the league an excellent match between our goals and what your company offers an incident which took place during Saturday’s match the match against Wales the match between Japan and Brazil After the match, he refused to comment on the incident. He played more than 40 matches for England. I’ll probably watch the match on TV. I’ve found a vase that is an exact match of the one I broke. She knew she had met her match and tried to retreat. The curtains and carpet are a good match. The paint is a close enough colour match to the original. They’re playing an important match against Chelsea on Saturday. This will be his first competitive match in charge of the team. We should be a match for most teams.Idioms
for lighting fires
to meet somebody who is equal to or even better than you in strength, skill or intelligence He thought he could beat anyone at chess but he’s met his match in Peter.
(British English, sport) the member of a team who plays the best in a particular game Rooney was named man of the match.
Check pronunciation: match
