Definition of 'pair'

Word Frequency

pair

(peəʳ )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense pairs , present participle pairing , past tense, past participle paired

1. countable noun

A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body.

...a pair of socks. [+ of]

...trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a pair.

72,000 pairs of hands clapped in unison to the song. [+ of]

Synonyms: set, match, combination, doublet More Synonyms of pair

2. countable noun

Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a pair, for example a pair of trousers or a pair of scissors.

...a pair of faded jeans. [+ of]

...a pair of binoculars. [+ of]

3. singular noun

You can refer to two people as a pair when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other.

John and Jeremy are a pair of friends who work together at a law firm. [+ of]

The pair announced their separation last month.

He and Paula made an unlikely pair.

4. verb [usually passive]

If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it.

The trainees will then be paired with experienced managers. [be VERB-ed + with]

Synonyms: team, match (up), join, couple More Synonyms of pair

pairing uncountable noun

...the pairing of these two fine musicians. [+ of]

Synonyms: collaboration, partnership, cooperation, linking up More Synonyms of pair

5. See also au pair

See a safe pair of hands

usage note: The noun pair can take either a singular verb or a plural verb, depending on whether it refers to one thing seen as a unit or a collection of two things or people. A good, supportive and protective pair of trainers is essential... The pair are still friends and attend functions together.

Phrasal verbs:

See pair off

See pair up

More Synonyms of pair

Video: pronunciation of
pair

pair in British English 1

(pɛə )

nounWord forms: plural pairs or functioning as singular or plural pair

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

6. 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

9. cricket

a pair of spectacles (the cricketing term)

spectacles (sense 2)

10. rowing pair-oar

11. British and US dialect

a group or set of more than two

12. logic, mathematics

a set with two members

an ordered set with two members

verb

13. (often foll by off)

to arrange or fall into groups of twos

14.

to group or be grouped in matching pairs

to pair socks

15.

to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple

16. (when tr, usually passive) parliamentary procedure

to form or cause to form a pair

18 members were paired for the last vote

▶ USAGE Like other collective nouns, pair takes a singular or a plural verb according to whether it is seen as a unit or as a collection of two things: the pair are said to dislike each other; a pair of good shoes is essential

Derived forms

pairable (ˈpairable)

adjective

Word origin

C13: from Old French paire, from Latin paria equal (things), from pār equal

Word Frequency

pair in British English 2

(per )

adjective

a Scot word for poor

Word Frequency

pair in American English

(pɛr )

nounWord forms: plural pairs or pair

two similar or corresponding things joined, associated, or used together

a pair of gloves

a single thing made up of two corresponding parts that are used together

a pair of pants

two persons or animals

; specif.,

a married, engaged, or courting couple

two mated animals

any two people considered as having something in common

a pair of thieves

a brace; span

a pair of oxen

two legislators on opposing sides of some question who agree to withhold their vote so as to offset each other; also, such an agreement

two playing cards of the same denomination

5. Chiefly Dialectal

a set or series

a pair of stairs, a pair of beads

verb transitive

to make a pair of (two persons or things) by matching, joining, mating, etc.

to arrange in pairs

to provide with a partner

followed by with

verb intransitive

to form a pair; match

10.

to join in marriage; mate

Idioms:

pair off

SYNONYMY NOTE: pair is used of two similar things that are associated together or are necessary in twos for proper use [a pair of socks] or of a single thing made up of two corresponding parts [a pair of scissors]; couple applies to any two similar things that are somehow associated [a couple of dollars], or it is used colloquially to mean several or a few [I must buy a couple of things]; a brace1 is a couple, especially of certain birds or animals [a brace of pheasants, hounds, etc.]; yoke applies to a pair of animals harnessed together for pulling [a yoke of oxen]; span1 is used especially of a pair of horses harnessed together

Word origin

ME paire < OFr < L paria, neut. pl. of par, equal: see par1

Examples of 'pair' in a sentence
pair

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

The fashion editor handed me a couple of pairs with a nod of respect.The pairing of the two men comes as a surprise because their terms in office did not overlap.In one classroom 22 students are working in pairs or groups.The pair's relationship has improved since.The pair were taking part in the show that sees the most annoying guest couple voted off at the end of the episode.Should he use them sparingly, pair them with experienced players or be prepared to risk using them in pairs?The pair formed a close connection and rumours began swirling round in Tinseltown that they were far more than just colleagues.But the pair's 18-year marriage lasted just another nine months.When the pair are handed a murder case that looks as straightforward as they come, they soon realise it's anything but. Now it seems the rapper has inflicted an identical pair on a supermodel.