Meaning of pair in English

1. Pronunciation

   /pɛr/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce pair in British English, in context ▾
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1. Verb

   pair

   Definitions

   1. form a pair or pairs

   Examples

   • « The two old friends paired off »
2. 2. bring two objects, ideas, or people together

   Examples

   • « This fact is coupled to the other one »
   • « Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man? »
   • « The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project »
3. 3. occur in pairs
4. 4. arrange in pairs

   Examples

   • « Pair these numbers »
5. 5. make love

   Examples

   • « Birds mate in the Spring »

6. Noun

   pair

   Etymology

   Middle English: from Old French paire, from Latin paria‘equal things’, neuter plural of par‘equal’. Formerly phrases such as a pair of gloves were expressed without of, as in a pair gloves (compare with German ein Paar Handschuhe)

   Definitions

   1. a set of two similar things considered as a unit
7. 2. two items of the same kind
8. 3. two people considered as a unit
9. 4. a poker hand with 2 cards of the same value