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match - definition and synonyms


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verb     match pronunciation in British English
Word Forms
present tense
present participlematching
past tensematched
past participlematched
  1. 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.

    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to belong to the same pair

      The glove matches one found at the crime scene.

    2. 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. 2
    [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.

    1. a.
      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. 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. 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. 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

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a person who has or claims to have a lot of influence

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