noun
pair
peh-uh
noun
1
Two matching or related things considered together.
"She bought a new pair of shoes."
"He needs a pair of scissors."
2
Two people in a relationship, partnership, or close association.
"The pair had been best friends since school."
3
In poker, a hand with two cards of the same rank.
"He won the round with a pair of kings."
verb
1
To put together in twos, or to connect one thing with another.
"The teacher paired students up for the project."
"Pair your phone with the speaker over Bluetooth."
2
To go well together; to suit as a match.
"This wine pairs nicely with grilled fish."
How to Use Pair
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTwo things or people that go together as a set, or the act of joining two things.
Common pairings
a pair of
pair up
pair with
Word Forms
paired past tense, paired past tense, pairs plural, pair plural, Pairs plural, pairs singular, pairs singular
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Etymology
From Middle English paire, via Old French from Latin paria, "equal things," related to par, "equal."