Matched

/mætʃt/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To be similar or equal; to correspond.

/mætʃt/

verbneutralBeginner
General

To correspond or be similar.

His skills matched the job requirements.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're picking out socks. If you find two that are the same, you've *matched* them! It means things are alike or fit together well, like finding the perfect pair of shoes.

👶 For kids: When things are the same or fit together, like two puzzle pieces!

More Examples

2

The curtains match the wallpaper.

3

I was hoping to find shoes that matched my outfit.

How It's Used

General

"The colors matched perfectly."

Technology

"The algorithm matched the user's search criteria."

2

To pair or couple things, usually for a specific purpose.

/mætʃt/

verbneutralBeginner
Technology

To bring together or pair.

The dating site matched her with several potential partners.

💡 Simply: Imagine a dating app helping people find dates - they are *matching* people. It also applies to sports where teams are grouped together. It means bringing two things together.

👶 For kids: When you put two things together that go well together, like when you find someone to play with!

More Examples

2

They were matched to play doubles in the tennis tournament.

3

We matched the students with mentors based on their career interests.

How It's Used

Relationships

"The dating service matched them based on their interests."

Sports

"The teams were matched for the tournament."

Tip:Like finding a perfect match for a date or a team for a competition.
3

Being similar, identical, or corresponding.

/mætʃt/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Being similar or identical.

They selected a matched set of furniture for the living room.

💡 Simply: If everything looks the same or goes well together, like a nice outfit or two friends who have a lot in common, it's *matched*! It's like when a puzzle piece fits perfectly.

👶 For kids: When things are the same and fit together, like a set of toys!

More Examples

2

The matched pair of shoes looked identical.

3

The investigators found that the fingerprints matched the suspect's.

How It's Used

Fashion

"She wore a matched set of earrings and a necklace."

Sports

"The matched teams will compete for the championship."

Tip:Think of a perfectly paired outfit, where all the elements are *matched*.

Idioms & expressions

match made in heaven

A perfect combination or pairing, typically referring to a couple.

"They are a match made in heaven; they are so good for each other."

meet one's match

To encounter someone or something that is equally or more capable or challenging.

"In the chess tournament, he finally met his match."

From Middle English *macchen*, from Old English *gemæccan* ('to make equal, be like').

Historically, 'match' has been used to describe things that correspond or are equal since the Middle Ages.

Memory tip

Think of two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly; they *matched*.

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"to be like, be equal"

perfectly matchedwell matchedmatched pairmatched setmatch the color

Common misspellings

mathedmachted

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written