Mismatch
/ˌmɪsˈmætʃ/
Definitions
2 meaningsA state of incompatibility or a lack of agreement between two or more things.
/ˌmɪsˈmætʃ/
A lack of compatibility or correspondence.
There's a mismatch between the company's projected revenue and actual sales figures.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to put two puzzle pieces together, but they don't fit. That's a mismatch! It means things don't go well together, like wearing a red shirt with green pants.
👶 For kids: When two things don't fit together right, it's a mismatch. Like if you try to put a square block into a circle hole!
More Examples
The mismatch in expectations contributed to the project's failure.
The study revealed a mismatch in the data, requiring further investigation.
How It's Used
"The mismatch between skills and job requirements leads to lower productivity."
"A significant age mismatch can sometimes cause problems in a relationship."
To match or pair incorrectly; to fail to correspond.
/ˌmɪsˈmætʃ/
To match unsuitably or incorrectly.
The software frequently mismatches user data with their profiles.
💡 Simply: Mismatched means to put things together that don't really belong. Think of wearing one blue sock and one green sock – you've mismatched!
👶 For kids: To mismatch is to put two things together that don't look right together, like a red shoe with a blue sock!
More Examples
He tends to mismatch his socks on purpose.
The algorithm incorrectly mismatches the image with the text description.
How It's Used
"The engineers inadvertently mismatched the input and output cables."
"She intentionally mismatched her accessories to create a bold look."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a perfect match/mismatch
Describes something (or someone) perfectly suited (or unsuited) for another.
"Their personalities were a perfect match."
From 'mis-' (wrongly or badly) + 'match' (something that corresponds or is similar). The term emerged in the late 19th century.
The word 'mismatch' began to appear in the late 1800s, initially used to describe pairings that were considered unsuitable or inconsistent.
Memory tip
Think of a sock and shoe being the wrong pair—a mismatch!
Word Origin
"'mis-' (wrongly or badly) + 'match' (a contest or a pairing)"