Definition of 'pair'
Word forms: pairs, pairing, 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.
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 pants or a pair of scissors.
3. singular noun
4. transitive verb [usu passive]
If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it.
5. See also au pair
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
pair
Word Frequency
pair in American English
nounWord forms: plural pairs or pair
2.
a single thing made up of two corresponding parts that are used together
a pair of pants
3.
two persons or animals
; specif.,
b.
two mated animals
c.
any two people considered as having something in common
a pair of thieves
e.
two legislators on opposing sides of some question who agree to withhold their vote so as to offset each other; also, such an agreement
4.
two playing cards of the same denomination
5. Chiefly Dialectal
a set or series
a pair of stairs, a pair of beads
verb transitive
6.
to make a pair of (two persons or things) by matching, joining, mating, etc.
7.
to arrange in pairs
verb intransitive
9.
to form a pair; match
10.
to join in marriage; mate
Idioms:
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 togetherWebster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
pair in American English 1
(pɛər) (noun plural pairs, pair)
noun
1.
two identical, similar, or corresponding things that are matched for use together
a pair of gloves
a pair of earrings
2.
something consisting of or regarded as having two parts or pieces joined together
a pair of scissors
a pair of slacks
3.
two individuals who are similar or in some way associated
a pair of liars
a pair of seal pups
4.
a married, engaged, or dating couple
5.
two mated animals
7. Government
a.
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
b.
the arrangement thus made
9. See pairs
10. Also called: kinematic pair Mechanics
transitive verb
14.
to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.; match; couple
to pair freshly washed socks
15. (of animals)
to cause to mate
intransitive verb
16. (usu. fol. by off)
to separate into pairs or groups of two
to pair off for a procession
17.
to form a pair or pairs
18.
to be a member of a pair
19.
to match with or resemble another
20.
21. (of animals)
to mate
22. Government (in a deliberative body)
to form or arrange a pair
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
pairwise adverb
Word Frequency
pair in British English 1
nounWord forms: plural pairs or functioning as singular or plural pair
2.
two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped together
a pair of horses
a pair of scoundrels
5.
a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding
purposes
8.
one member of a matching pair
I can't find the pair to this glove
11. British and US dialect
a group or set of more than two
12. logic, mathematics
a.
a set with two members
b.
an ordered set with two members
verb
▶ 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 essential14.
to group or be grouped in matching pairs
to pair socks
16. (when tr, usually passive) parliamentary procedure
to form or cause to form a pair
18 members were paired for the last vote
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
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
adjective
a Scot word for poor
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Examples of 'pair' in a sentence
pair
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Word lists with
pair
terms used in pokerQuick word challenge
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Which poker term am I?
the gaming stake put up before the deal in poker by the players
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a hand containing only one suit
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two playing cards of the same rank or denomination
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(in poker) the stake put up after the ante in poker by the second player after the dealer
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to refuse the right to change any of one's cards; keep one's hand unchanged
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pair
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In other languages
pair
British English: pair
/pɛə/ NOUN
A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are intended to be used together.
...a pair of socks.
- American English: pair /ˈpɛər/
- Arabic: زَوَجٌ
- Brazilian Portuguese: par
- Chinese: 一对
- Croatian: par
- Czech: pár
- Danish: par
- Dutch: paar
- European Spanish: par
- Finnish: pari
- French: paire
- German: Paar
- Greek: ζεύγος
- Italian: paio
- Japanese: ひと組
- Korean: 한 쌍
- Norwegian: par
- Polish: para dwójka
- European Portuguese: par
- Romanian: pereche
- Russian: пара
- Spanish: par
- Swedish: par
- Thai: คู่
- Turkish: çift
- Ukrainian: пара
- Vietnamese: đôi
British English: pair
VERB /ˈpɛə/
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.
- American English: pair /ˈpɛər/
- Brazilian Portuguese: colocar em par
- Chinese: 把…配对
- European Spanish: emparejar
- French: faire travailler en binôme avec
- German: gepaart mit
- Italian: accoppiare
- Japanese: 組にする
- Korean: 짝지어지다
- European Portuguese: emparelhar
- Spanish: emparejar
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Definition of pair from the Collins English Dictionary
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