noun
matchstick
MACHS-tihk
Matchstick (noun) means the slender wooden or cardboard stick that forms part of a match. Example: “He used a matchstick to clean under his fingernail.”
noun
1
The slender wooden or cardboard stick that forms part of a match.
"A piece of wood or cardboard becomes a matchstick once the end has been dipped in a sulfurous compound to turn it into a complete match."
"He used a matchstick to clean under his fingernail."
2
Anything shaped like a thin, small stick.
"The explosion blew the powder shed to matchsticks."
"She sliced the carrots into thin matchstick strips."
How to use matchstick
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe thin wooden stick part of a match, or anything shaped similarly.
Common pairings
matchstick figure
matchstick legs
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Word forms
- Plural
- matchsticks
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used a _____ to clean under his fingernail.
Etymology
From match plus stick.
Frequently asked questions
What does “matchstick” mean?
The word “matchstick” means the slender wooden or cardboard stick that forms part of a match. In plain terms, the thin wooden stick part of a match, or anything shaped similarly.
How do you pronounce “matchstick”?
“Matchstick” is pronounced MACHS-tihk (/ˈmætʃstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “matchstick” in a sentence?
Here is “matchstick” used in a sentence: “He used a matchstick to clean under his fingernail.”
What part of speech is “matchstick”?
“Matchstick” is a noun.
How many meanings does “matchstick” have?
“Matchstick” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the slender wooden or cardboard stick that forms part of a match.
