match¹ / mach/ • n. 1. a contest in which people or teams compete against each other in a particular sport: a boxing match.2. a person or thing able to contend with another as an equal in quality or strength: they were no match for the trained mercenaries.3. a person or thing that resembles or corresponds to another: the child's identical twin would be a perfect match for organ donation. ∎  Comput. a string that fulfills the specified conditions of a computer search. ∎  a pair that corresponds or is very similar: the headdresses and bouquet were a perfect match. ∎  the fact or appearance of corresponding: stones of a perfect match and color.4. a person viewed in regard to their eligibility for marriage, esp. as regards class or wealth: he was an unsuitable match for any of their girls. ∎  a marriage: a dynastic match.• v. [tr.] 1. correspond or cause to correspond in some essential respect; make or be harmonious: [tr.] we bought green and blue curtains to match the bedspread she matched her steps to his | [intr.] the jacket and pants do not match | [as adj.] (matching) a set of matching coffee cups. ∎  team (someone or something) with someone or something else appropriate or harmonious: they matched suitably qualified applicants with institutions that had vacancies she was trying to match the draperies to the couch.2. be equal to (something) in quality or strength: his anger matched her own. ∎  succeed in reaching or equaling (a standard or quality): he tried to match her nonchalance. ∎  equalize (two coupled electrical impedances) so as to bring about the maximum transfer of power from one to the other.3. place (a person or group) in contest or competition with another: the big names were matched against nobodies | [as adj.] (matched) evenly matched teams. PHRASES: make a match form a partnership, esp. by getting married.meet one's match encounter one's equal in strength or ability: Iris had met her match.to match corresponding in some essential respect with something previously mentioned or chosen: a new coat and a hat to match.PHRASAL VERBS: match up to be as good as or equal to: she matches up to the challenges of the job.match someone with archaic bring about the marriage of someone to: try if you can to match her with a duke.DERIVATIVES: match·a·ble adj.match² • n. a short, thin piece of wood or cardboard used to light a fire, being tipped with a composition that ignites when rubbed against a rough surface. ∎ hist. a piece of wick or cord designed to burn at a uniform rate, used for firing a cannon or lighting gunpowder.PHRASES: put a match to set fire to.