pair
peh-uh
Pair (noun) means Two matching or related things considered together. Example: “She bought a new pair of shoes.”
noun
1
Two matching or related things considered together.
"She bought a new pair of shoes."
"He needs a pair of scissors."
"I lost one sock from my favourite pair this morning."
2
Two people in a relationship, partnership, or close association.
"The pair had been best friends since school."
"The pair of them laughed all the way home from the party."
"The dancing pair won warm applause from everyone watching."
3
In poker, a hand with two cards of the same rank.
"He won the round with a pair of kings."
"She held a pair of aces and hoped nobody would raise the bet."
"In this game, a pair beats a single high card."
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."
"New volunteers were paired with older neighbours who needed help with shopping."
2
To go well together; to suit as a match.
"This wine pairs nicely with grilled fish."
"Soft cheese pairs well with sweet fruit and crunchy crackers."
"Her bold jacket pairs perfectly with plain black trousers."
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a pair of
pair up
pair with
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Word forms
- Plural
- pairs
- Third person singular
- pairs
- Past tense
- paired
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She bought a new _____ of shoes.
Etymology
From Middle English paire, via Old French from Latin paria, "equal things," related to par, "equal."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pair
See all rhymes for pair →Frequently asked questions
What does “pair” mean?
The word “pair” means two matching or related things considered together. In plain terms, two things or people that go together as a set, or the act of joining two things.
How do you pronounce “pair”?
“Pair” is pronounced peh-uh (/pɛɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pair” in a sentence?
Here is “pair” used in a sentence: “She bought a new pair of shoes.”
What is another word for “pair”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pair” include duo, dyad, couple, brace, twosome and duplet.
What part of speech is “pair”?
Depending on how it is used, “pair” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pair” come from?
The word “pair” comes from Latin. From Middle English paire, via Old French from Latin paria, "equal things," related to par, "equal.".
Is “pair” a common word?
“Pair” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “pair” have?
“Pair” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: two matching or related things considered together.
What is the difference between a pair and a couple?
Both mean two, but with a nuance. A "pair" is two things that match or belong together — a pair of shoes, a pair of gloves. A "couple" is simply two of something, or two people in a relationship, without the sense of matching. Pairs are joined by function; couples just by number.
What is the difference between pair and pear?
They sound the same but are unrelated. A "pair" is a set of two matching things. A "pear" is the sweet, bell-shaped fruit. There is also "pare," meaning to trim or peel. Remembering that "pear" ends like "ear" can help you keep the fruit distinct.
Is pair singular or plural?
"Pair" is singular — "a pair of scissors is on the desk" — even though it refers to two things, and its plural is "pairs." With some paired items, especially "a pair of trousers," the verb can go either way, but treating pair as a single unit is standard.
What is an example of a pair?
A pair of shoes, a pair of socks, and a pair of earrings are everyday examples — two matching items used together. "Pair" also covers single objects with two joined parts, such as a pair of scissors or glasses, and two people, as in a pair of dancers.
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