n.

1. lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction;
   lucifer, friction match
   
   • he always carries matches to light his pipe
   • as long you've a lucifer to light your fag
2. a formal contest in which two or more persons or teams compete
3. a burning piece of wood or cardboard
   
   • if you drop a match in there the whole place will explode
4. an exact duplicate;
   mate
   
   • when a match is found an entry is made in the notebook
5. the score needed to win a match
6. a person regarded as a good matrimonial prospect;
   catch
7. a person who is of equal standing with another in a group;
   peer, equal, compeer
8. a pair of people who live together;
   couple, mates
   
   • a married couple from Chicago
9. something that resembles or harmonizes with
   
   • that tie makes a good match with your jacket

v.

1. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
   fit, correspond, check, jibe, gibe, tally, agree
   
   • The two stories don't agree in many details
   • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
   • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
2. provide funds complementary to
   
   • The company matched the employees' contributions
3. bring two objects, ideas, or people together;
   mate, couple, pair, twin
   
   • This fact is coupled to the other one
   • Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
   • The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project
4. be equal to in quality or ability;
   equal, touch, rival
   
   • Nothing can rival cotton for durability
   • Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
   • Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
5. make correspond or harmonize;
   fit
   
   • Match my sweater
6. satisfy or fulfill;
   meet, cope with
   
   • meet a need
   • this job doesn't match my dreams
7. give or join in marriage
8. set into opposition or rivalry;
   pit, oppose, play off
   
   • let them match their best athletes against ours
   • pit a chess player against the Russian champion
   • He plays his two children off against each other
9. be equal or harmonize
   
   • The two pieces match
10. make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching;
    equal, equalize, equalise, equate
    
    • let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office
    • The company matched the discount policy of its competitors