Match Meaning
/mæt͡ʃ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA competitive sporting event such as a boxing meet (commonly called a "bout"), a baseball game, or a cricket match.
nounAny contest or trial of strength or skill, or to determine superiority.
Sentence Examples
To our surprise, he was defeated in the match.
I am no match for him in diplomatic shrewdness.
He appeared relaxed and confident before the match.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two teams played a close ____ that ended in a tie.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a ____ to light the candles on the birthday cake just before the party started.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English macche, mecche, from Old English mæċċa, ġemæċċa (“companion, mate, wife, one suited to another”), from Proto-West Germanic *makkjō, *gamakkjō (“partner, equal”), from Proto-Germanic *makô, from Proto-Indo-European *mag- (“to knead, work”). Compare Danish mage (“mate”), Icelandic maki (“spouse”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Can you play billiards? / Yes, do you wish to have a match with me? / Let us simply play (a game) for pleasure. We needn't have a match, as I don't like to gamble."
— 1886, Lim Hiong Seng, Handbook of the Swatow Vernacular, Singapore: Koh Yew Hean Press:
"Ferrer his Taberd vvith rich Verry ſpred, / VVell knovvne in many a vvarlike match before; […]"
— 1630, Michaell Draiton [i.e., Michael Drayton], “The Second Booke of the Barrons Warres”, in Poems: […], London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] Ling, →OCLC, stanza 22, page 31:
"A solemn match was made; he lost the prize."
— 1697, Virgil, “(please specify the page)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"Government […] makes an innocent man, though of the lowest rank, a match for the mightiest of his fellow subjects."
— 1716 February 9 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 12. Sunday, January 30. [1716.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:
"Dean Ippolito looks like an ordinary kid. But at chess, he is a knight of battle. Most adults are no match for him."
— 1991, Boys' Life, volume 81, number 4:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The two teams played a close ____ that ended in a tie.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a ____ to light the candles on the birthday cake just before the party started.