1. lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction; - Example: "he always carries matches to light his pipe" - Example: "as long you've a lucifer to light your fag" [syn: match, lucifer, friction match]
2. a formal contest in which two or more persons or teams compete;
3. a burning piece of wood or cardboard; - Example: "if you drop a match in there the whole place will explode"
4. an exact duplicate; - Example: "when a match is found an entry is made in the notebook" [syn: match, mate]
5. the score needed to win a match;
6. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect; [syn: catch, match]
7. a person who is of equal standing with another in a group; [syn: peer, equal, match, compeer]
8. a pair of people who live together; - Example: "a married couple from Chicago" [syn: couple, mates, match]
9. something that resembles or harmonizes with; - Example: "that tie makes a good match with your jacket"
VERB (10)
1. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics; - Example: "The two stories don't agree in many details" - Example: "The handwriting checks with the signature on the check" - Example: "The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun" [syn: match, fit, correspond, check, jibe, gibe, tally, agree]
2. provide funds complementary to; - Example: "The company matched the employees' contributions"
3. bring two objects, ideas, or people together; - Example: "This fact is coupled to the other one" - Example: "Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?" - Example: "The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project" [syn: match, mate, couple, pair, twin]
4. be equal to in quality or ability; - Example: "Nothing can rival cotton for durability" - Example: "Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues" - Example: "Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents" [syn: equal, touch, rival, match]
5. make correspond or harmonize; - Example: "Match my sweater" [syn: match, fit]
6. satisfy or fulfill; - Example: "meet a need" - Example: "this job doesn't match my dreams" [syn: meet, match, cope with]
7. give or join in marriage;
8. set into opposition or rivalry; - Example: "let them match their best athletes against ours" - Example: "pit a chess player against the Russian champion" - Example: "He plays his two children off against each other" [syn: pit, oppose, match, play off]
9. be equal or harmonize; - Example: "The two pieces match"
10. make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching; - Example: "let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office" - Example: "The company matched the discount policy of its competitors" [syn: equal, match, equalize, equalise, equate]