Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage


Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: paire, from Latin paria 'equal things', from par; PAR


1 noun
pair1 S2 W2 plural pairs or pair [countable]

joined together

an object that is made from two similar parts that are joined together
pair of trousers/scissors/glasses etc
two pairs of jeans
a pair of black tights

belonging together

two things of the same type that are used together
pair of
a new pair of sandals
pair of hands/eyes/legs etc
earrings, £5 a pair
a pair of skis
We have five pairs of free tickets to give away.

in pairs

in groups of two:
We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise.
The leaves of the tree are arranged in pairs.

two people

two people who are standing or doing something together, or who have some type of connection with each other [↪ couple]:
The pair are looking for sponsorship from local businesses.
pair of
a pair of dancers
! Do not use pair to talk about a husband and wife (or two people in a similar relationship). Use couple: They're such a nice couple (NOT pair).

the pair of you/them

British English spoken used when you are angry or annoyed with two people:
Oh, get out, the pair of you.

two animals

a) HBA a male and a female animal that come together in order to breed
pair of
a pair of doves
a breeding pair
b) old useDSHTTB two horses that work together

I've only got one pair of hands

spoken used to say that you are busy and cannot do any more than you are already doing

an extra pair of hands

someone who helps you do something when you are busy:
Having an extra pair of hands during busy periods can take the pressure off.

a safe pair of hands

someone you can trust and depend on because they are sensible - used especially in news reports:
Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands.
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