pair
1two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together: a pair of gloves;a pair of earrings.
something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together: a pair of scissors;a pair of slacks.
two individuals who are similar or in some way associated: a pair of liars;a pair of seal pups.
a married, engaged, or dating couple.
two mated animals.
a span or team: a pair of horses.
Government.
two members on opposite sides in a deliberative body who for convenience, as to permit absence, arrange together to forgo voting on a given occasion.
the arrangement thus made.
Cards.
two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
pairs, two card players who are matched together against different contestants.
pairs, pair skating.
Also called kinematic pair .Mechanics. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
Philately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally.
a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole: a pair of beads.
to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two: She paired dancers for the waltz contest.
to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple: to pair freshly washed socks.
(of animals) to cause to mate.
to separate into pairs or groups of two (usually followed by off): to pair off for a procession.
to form a pair or pairs.
to be a member of a pair.
to match with or resemble another.
to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc.
(of animals) to mate.
Government. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair.
Idioms about pair
grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. to act in a stereotypically manly way, as by being brave: Stop the whining and grow a pair!
Origin of pair
1synonym study For pair
Grammar notes for pair
Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape.
In the sense “a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,” pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple.
Other words from pair
- pairwise, adverb
- un·paired, adjective
- well-paired, adjective
Words that may be confused with pair
Words Nearby pair
Other definitions for pair (2 of 2)
French. noting any even number, especially in roulette.: Compare impair.
Origin of pair
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pair in a sentence
Some people are adamant that chocolate does not pair well with wine, period, no how, no way.
The new wine rules: Drink what you like with what you want to eat | Dave McIntyre | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostVancouver’s Jordie Benn and Quinn Hughes are the second-worst defensive pair in regard to shot quality allowed.
The NHL’s Canadian teams are scoring a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. | Neil Greenberg | February 12, 2021 | Washington Post“One pair of dry socks lives in my sleeping bag,” Oram says.
How to stay warm while sleeping in the frigid outdoors | Alisha McDarris | February 12, 2021 | Popular-ScienceWith the pair of games next week, Maryland will be on track to finish the season with 20 conference games as planned, despite the schedule disruptions the Big Ten has navigated this season because of the pandemic.
In schedule shuffle, Maryland will host Nebraska on back-to-back days next week | Emily Giambalvo | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostThe second experiment, still using MTurk, added a pair of wrinkles.
Can I Ask You a Ridiculously Personal Question? (Ep. 451) | Stephen J. Dubner | February 11, 2021 | Freakonomics
Oh, and the first press image they released was a pair of black dudes in tracksuits as a troll of sorts to NME.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More | Marlow Stern | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt will still carry a pair of Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM long-range air-to-air missiles and a pair of bombs.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019 | Dave Majumdar | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGurley was gunned down on Nov. 20, when a pair of cops was patrolling the rough housing project.
Protesters Demand Justice For Gurley As Gap Grows Between Cops and NYC | M.L. Nestel | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOne of them had not been given time to get dressed; he was perp-walked wearing only a pair of boxers.
They waved down a pair of responding cops who followed the alleged cop killer into the subway.
Alleged Cop Killer Ismaaiyl Brinsley Had a Death Wish | M.L. Nestel | December 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe stood, with the air of a hero, both arms extended towards the amazed pair of lovers.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeUnder the long lashes of low lids a pair of eyes black and insolent set off the haughty lines of her scarlet lips.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniHere the pair reached the "Dun Cow" and retired to their respective quarters.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsSince words have different meanings, we may sometimes find that a pair of words exemplify all three Laws, as plough and sword.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)The opposite of these two methods of rote learning is my method, which injects an active process between each pair of words.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
British Dictionary definitions for pair (1 of 2)
/ (pɛə) /
two identical or similar things matched for use together: a pair of socks
two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped together: a pair of horses; a pair of scoundrels
an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined together: a pair of trousers
two people joined in love or marriage
a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding purposes
parliamentary procedure
two opposed members who both agree not to vote on a specified motion or for a specific period of time
the agreement so made
two playing cards of the same rank or denomination: a pair of threes
one member of a matching pair: I can't find the pair to this glove
cricket a pair of spectacles (the cricketing term): See spectacles (def. 2)
rowing See pair-oar
British and US dialect a group or set of more than two
logic maths
a set with two members
an ordered set with two members
(often foll by off) to arrange or fall into groups of twos
to group or be grouped in matching pairs: to pair socks
to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple
(when tr, usually passive) parliamentary procedure to form or cause to form a pair: 18 members were paired for the last vote
Origin of pair
1usage For pair
- See also pairs
British Dictionary definitions for pair (2 of 2)
/ (per) /
a Scot word for poor
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pair
In addition to the idiom beginning with pair
- pair off
also see:
- show one's (a clean pair of) heels
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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