match

The word "match" can be used when things go well together. Two or more things or people are combined in a manner that is correct, logical, or complimentary.

They make a very good match.
He didn’t match the correct answers to the questions on the test. (This sentence uses "match" as a verb.)

When things are matched, they are put together in such a way that they look, sound, feel, or taste good together:

• Orange and brown are colors that match.
• Pink and green are colors that don’t match.
• It’s important to match music to the event for which it’s performed.
• A waiter in a restaurant will help you match a wine to the food that you order.

This word is often used in business when talking about amounts of money:

• A married couple made an offer on a house that matched the seller’s asking price.
• Someone else matched their offer and agreed on a few other things in order to close the deal.

Another way to use the word "match" is when describing a competition:

• These two fighters will face each other in a boxing match.
• They’re evenly matched. Their boxing skills are comparable.

Matches are also something that you use to start a fire.

This is a box of matches.
He lit a match from the box.

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This page was first published on October 16, 2012. It was updated on October 25, 2015.