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⇱ pair - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

pair

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈpɛər/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/pɛr/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(pâr; adj. pe)

Inflections of 'pair' (n):
pairs
npl
pair
npl (Less common)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
pair /pɛr/USA pronunciation   n., pl. pairs, pair, v., paired, pair•ing. 
n. [countable]
  1. two things that are the same or similar, that correspond to each other, or that are matched together:a pair of matching bookends.
  2. something made of two parts joined together:a pair of scissors.
  3. two similar or associated individuals:a pair of oxen.
  4. a married, engaged, or dating couple:the happy pair.
  5. Gamestwo playing cards having the same number or same level, but not the same suit:a pair of jacks and another pair of eights.

v. 
  1. to arrange or group in pairs or groups of two: [~ + object]to pair socks.[~ + off + object]The teacher paired off each student with a partner.[~ + object + off]The teacher paired them off.[ no object;
    ~ + off]    to pair off for a dance.
  2. pair up, to unite in a close relationship with another, as in a business partnership or marriage: [no object]If they paired up they would make a powerful team.[~ + object + up]If we could pair them up they would make a strong team.[~ + up + object]Pair up the two of them.
See -par-.
    See couple.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
pair  (pâr),USA pronunciation n., pl. pairs, pair, v. 
n. 
  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. Zoologytwo mated animals.
  6. Zoologya span or team: a pair of horses.
  7. Government
    • Governmenttwo members on opposite sides in a deliberative body who for convenience, as to permit absence, arrange together to forgo voting on a given occasion.
    • the arrangement thus made.
  8. Games[Cards.]
    • two playing cards of the same denomination without regard to suit or color.
    • pairs, two card players who are matched together against different contestants.
  9. Sport pairs. See pair skating. 
  10. MechanicsAlso called kinematic pair. Mech. two parts or pieces so connected that they mutually constrain relative motion.
  11. StampsPhilately. two postage stamps joined together either vertically or horizontally.
  12. a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole: a pair of beads.

v.t. 
  1. to arrange or designate in pairs or groups of two:She paired dancers for the waltz contest.
  2. to form into a pair, as by matching, joining, etc.;
    match;
    couple: to pair freshly washed socks.
  3. (of animals) to cause to mate.

v.i. 
  1. to separate into pairs or groups of two (usu. fol. by off ): to pair off for a procession.
  2. to form a pair or pairs.
  3. to be a member of a pair.
  4. to match with or resemble another.
  5. to unite in close association with another, as in a business partnership, friendship, marriage, etc.
  6. (of animals) to mate.
  7. GovernmentGovt. (in a deliberative body) to form or arrange a pair.
  • Latin pāria, plural (taken as feminine singular) of pār a pair. See par1
  • Old French
  • Middle English paire 1250–1300
pair′wise′, adv. 
    1. Pair, brace, couple, span, yoke are terms for groups of two. Pair is used of two things naturally or habitually associated in use, or necessary to each other to make a complete set: a pair of dice. It is used also of one thing composed of two similar and complementary parts: a pair of trousers. Brace is a hunter's term, used of a pair of dogs, ducks, etc., or a pair of pistols or slugs: a brace of partridges. In couple the idea of combination or interdependence has become greatly weakened; it may be used loosely for two of anything (a couple of apples), and even for more than two: I have to see a couple of people. Span is used of a matched pair of horses harnessed together side by side. Yoke applies to the two animals hitched together under a yoke for drawing and pulling: a yoke of oxen.
    When used without a modifier, pairs is the only possible plural: Pairs of skaters glided over the ice. When modified by a number, pairs is the more common form, especially referring to persons: Six pairs of masked dancers led the procession. The unmarked plural pair is used mainly in reference to inanimate objects or nonhumans: He has three pair (or pairs) of loafers. Two pair (or pairs) of barn owls have nested on our property.
    Pair signifying two individuals can take either a singular or plural verb, but it is usually followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The guilty pair have not been seen since their escape.
    In the sense "a set or combination of more than two objects forming a collective whole,'' pair occurs chiefly in fixed phrases: a pair of beads; a pair of stairs. This use is now somewhat old-fashioned. See also collective noun, couple. 
pair  (per),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. Foreign Terms[French.]noting any even number, esp. in roulette. Compare impair.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
pair /pɛə/ n ( pl pairs, (functioning as singular or plural) pair)
  1. two identical or similar things matched for use together: a pair of socks
  2. two persons, animals, things, etc, used or grouped together: a pair of horses, a pair of scoundrels
  3. an object considered to be two identical or similar things joined together: a pair of trousers
  4. two people joined in love or marriage
  5. a male and a female animal of the same species, esp such animals kept for breeding purposes
    • two opposed members who both agree not to vote on a specified motion or for a specific period of time
    • the agreement so made
  7. two playing cards of the same rank or denomination
  8. one member of a matching pair: I can't find the pair to this glove
 vb
  1. (often followed by off) to arrange or fall into groups of two
  2. to group or be grouped in matching pairs
  3. to join or be joined in marriage; mate or couple
  4. (when tr, usually passive) to form or cause to form a pair
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French paire, from Latin paria equal (things), from pār equalˈpairable adj USAGE
pair /per/ adj
'pair' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: [an odd, a matching] pair (of socks), pair up for the [project, game], a [tight, loose, stretchy] pair of (pants), more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "pair" in the title:

(Couple & Pair)
(pair of) scissors / trousers / pants (US) / etc.
20 dollars (for) each pair
a (pair/set of) hair clipper(s)
a big pair of sunglasses/a pair of big sunglasses
A couple of vs A pair of (animals)
A decenter man never stood in a pair of shoes
a hundred dollars a pair for ticket stubs
a new pair of shoes/a pair of new shoes
a new pair vs. new ones
a pair
A pair and a spare
A Pair Of
A pair of ....
a pair of (scissors) is or are?
a pair of + plural
a pair of book vs. a pair of books
a pair of breach of
a pair of double doors
a pair of ear of the wok
A pair of eyes, luminous by reflection against the daylight without, was watching me out of the darkness.
a pair of flamingos
a pair of frames/a frame
A pair of glasses, it or them?
a pair of hazy eyes that kept on coming
a pair of hole-ridden slacks
a pair of jeans
a pair of late night lovers
a pair of lovely cute twins
a pair of low-riding Bermuda shorts
more...

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