Matchstick: meaning, definitions and examples

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matchstick

 

[ ˈmatʃstɪk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

for burning

A small stick of wood or strip of cardboard with a flammable head, used for lighting fires, candles, etc.

Synonyms

lighter, match

Examples of usage

  • You can use a matchstick to light the candles on the birthday cake.
  • She struck a matchstick against the box to light the campfire.
Context #2 | Noun

for playing

A small stick with a head that ignites when rubbed against a rough surface, used in matches.

Synonyms

Lucifer

Examples of usage

  • He collected matchsticks with different designs on them.
  • The matchstick ignited as he struck it against the side of the matchbox.
Context #3 | Noun

for crafting

A thin piece of wood with a flammable tip, used in arts and crafts for creating miniature structures.

Synonyms

craft stick, wooden stick

Examples of usage

  • She used matchsticks to build a small house model.
  • The children enjoyed making various shapes with matchsticks in art class.

Translations

Translations of the word "matchstick" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fósforo

🇮🇳 माचिस की तीली

🇩🇪 Streichholz

🇮🇩 korek api

🇺🇦 сірник

🇵🇱 zapałka

🇯🇵 マッチ棒 (まっちぼう)

🇫🇷 allumette

🇪🇸 cerilla

🇹🇷 kibrit çöpü

🇰🇷 성냥개비

🇸🇦 عود ثقاب

🇨🇿 sirka

🇸🇰 zápalka

🇨🇳 火柴棍 (huǒchái gùn)

🇸🇮 vžigalica

🇮🇸 eldspýta

🇰🇿 сіріңке

🇬🇪 ასასხლავებელი

🇦🇿 kibrit çöpləri

🇲🇽 cerilla

Word origin

The matchstick, also known as a match, has a long history dating back to ancient times. The first recorded use of matches was in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), where sulfur matches were used to light fires. The modern matchstick, as we know it today, was invented in the early 19th century by John Walker, an English chemist. The matchstick has since become a common household item used for various purposes, from lighting candles to crafting projects.

See also: match, matched, matching, matchless, mismatched, outmatch, outmatchable, outmatched, unmatched.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,798, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.