MATCHES Meaning and
Definition
-
Matches are small sticks or strips of wood, cardboard, or certain chemicals, intended for use in creating a flame by friction. They are typically coated on one end with a flammable substance that ignites when struck against a rough surface or another specially designed strip. Matches are commonly used for lighting candles, stoves, fireworks, or other combustible materials.
There are various types of matches available, each with distinct characteristics. Traditional safety matches consist of a splint tipped with phosphorus and an oxidizing agent on a separate striking surface, activated by rubbing the match against it. These types of matches are designed to be relatively safe, as they require a specific striking surface to ignite.
On the other hand, strike-anywhere matches contain the necessary chemicals on both the stick and the box, allowing them to be ignited by striking them against any rough surface. However, due to their potentially higher flammability, strike-anywhere matches are often less commonly available and may require additional storage precautions.
Aside from their primary use for ignition purposes, the term "matches" can also refer to pairing or finding a harmonious combination. For example, finding a soulmate can be described as finding one's perfect match.
In summary, matches serve as a tool for creating fire by friction, with various types available, such as safety and strike-anywhere matches. They are widely used for lighting purposes and can also represent the concept of compatibility or pairing.
Top Common Misspellings for MATCHES *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MATCHES
Etymology of MATCHES
The word "matches" derives from the Old English word "mǣce", which meant "stick". This term later evolved into "match" in Middle English, referring specifically to a stick or piece of wood with a flammable tip used for lighting fires. The phrase "to make a match" was commonly used to describe the action of igniting flame by striking the tip of the stick against a rough surface. Over time, "matches" became the accepted term for these objects used to create fire.
Idioms with the word MATCHES
-
hatches, matches, and despatches
Hatches, matches, and dispatches refers to the major life events of birth (hatches), marriage (matches), and death (dispatches) that are often recorded in church parish registers. It can also be used more broadly to refer to the key stages or milestones in a person's life.
Similar spelling words for MATCHES
Conjugate verb Matches
CONDITIONAL
I
would match
we
would match
you
would match
he/she/it
would match
they
would match
FUTURE
I
will match
we
will match
you
will match
he/she/it
will match
they
will match
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have matched
we
will have matched
you
will have matched
he/she/it
will have matched
they
will have matched
PAST
I
matched
we
matched
you
matched
he/she/it
matched
they
matched
PAST PERFECT
I
had matched
we
had matched
you
had matched
he/she/it
had matched
they
had matched
PRESENT
I
match
we
match
you
match
he/she/it
matches
they
match
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have matched
we
have matched
you
have matched
he/she/it
has matched
they
have matched
I
am matching
we
are matching
you
are matching
he/she/it
is matching
they
are matching
I
was matching
we
were matching
you
were matching
he/she/it
was matching
they
were matching
I
will be matching
we
will be matching
you
will be matching
he/she/it
will be matching
they
will be matching
I
have been matching
we
have been matching
you
have been matching
he/she/it
has been matching
they
have been matching
I
had been matching
we
had been matching
you
had been matching
he/she/it
had been matching
they
had been matching
I
will have been matching
we
will have been matching
you
will have been matching
he/she/it
will have been matching
they
will have been matching
I
would have matched
we
would have matched
you
would have matched
he/she/it
would have matched
they
would have matched
I
would be matching
we
would be matching
you
would be matching
he/she/it
would be matching
they
would be matching
I
would have been matching
we
would have been matching
you
would have been matching
he/she/it
would have been matching
they
would have been matching
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
