Pair: meaning, definitions and examples

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pair

[peər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in relationships

A pair refers to two people who are in a close relationship, often romantic. It can also refer to two things that are similar or complementary to each other.

Synonyms

couple, duo, twosome.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pair	Used to describe two things of the same kind that are used together or resemble each other. Often used in more general situations. I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday. They make a great pair in the tennis court.
couple	Commonly used to refer to two people who are romantically involved, married or in a close relationship. They are a lovely couple. The couple celebrated their anniversary last weekend.
duo	Refers to two people who perform or operate together, especially in entertainment or work contexts. The comedy duo had the audience laughing all night. The musical duo released their new album last week.
twosome	Informally used to describe two people or things that often go together. It can also imply closeness or exclusivity, sometimes with a slightly playful or nostalgic tone. The inseparable twosome was always seen together. The twosome enjoyed a quiet day at the park.

Examples of usage

They make a great pair on and off the stage.
The shoes come in pairs.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in sports

A pair refers to a set of two similar things, especially in sports like tennis, where it denotes a team of two players.

Synonyms

partnership, team.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pair	Used when emphasizing two of the same kind, especially in the context of items or animals. She bought a new pair of shoes A pair of eagles were spotted nesting in the tree
team	Appropriate when talking about a group of people who come together to achieve a common objective, often in sports or work projects. The team worked late into the night to finish the project She is the captain of the soccer team
partnership	Suitable for describing a formal or business relationship where two entities work together toward common goals. The companies entered into a partnership to develop new technologies Their partnership lasted for over a decade

Word

Description / Examples

pair

Used when emphasizing two of the same kind, especially in the context of items or animals.

She bought a new pair of shoes
A pair of eagles were spotted nesting in the tree

team

Appropriate when talking about a group of people who come together to achieve a common objective, often in sports or work projects.

The team worked late into the night to finish the project
She is the captain of the soccer team

partnership

Suitable for describing a formal or business relationship where two entities work together toward common goals.

The companies entered into a partnership to develop new technologies
Their partnership lasted for over a decade

Examples of usage

The doubles pair won the championship.
She is a part of the mixed doubles pair.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

in gambling

To pair means to match or combine two similar things, especially in card games where it refers to getting two cards of the same rank.

Synonyms

combine, match.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pair	Best used when referring to bringing together two things or people, often implying a functional or aesthetic relationship. She decided to pair the red dress with black shoes. The teacher asked the students to pair up for the project.
match	Ideal for indicating that two things correspond or are similar in some aspect, frequently in a visually or functionally complementary sense. The colors of the curtains match the cushions perfectly. They tried to match the new employees with mentors to aid their development.
combine	Suitable for situations where you are talking about mixing or joining elements to create a whole, usually with a sense of integration or merging. Combine flour and sugar in a bowl before adding the eggs. Their creative skills combined to produce an impressive artwork.

Word

Description / Examples

pair

Best used when referring to bringing together two things or people, often implying a functional or aesthetic relationship.

She decided to pair the red dress with black shoes.
The teacher asked the students to pair up for the project.

match

Ideal for indicating that two things correspond or are similar in some aspect, frequently in a visually or functionally complementary sense.

The colors of the curtains match the cushions perfectly.
They tried to match the new employees with mentors to aid their development.

combine

Suitable for situations where you are talking about mixing or joining elements to create a whole, usually with a sense of integration or merging.

Combine flour and sugar in a bowl before adding the eggs.
Their creative skills combined to produce an impressive artwork.

Examples of usage

He paired his cards to win the round.
She paired the jacks and won the game.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'paria', meaning 'a couple' or 'two'.
In Middle English, it evolved from 'peir' and 'per', reflecting the idea of two matching items.
Its use can be traced back to approximately the 14th century, particularly in reference to items like shoes or gloves.

Cultural Significance

The concept of pairing is crucial in many cultures, symbolizing unity and partnership, such as in 'pairs of lovers' or 'dance partners'.
Pairing food with wine is a renowned practice in culinary arts, enhancing flavors and overall dining experience.
In music, the idea of a pairing can relate to harmony, where different instruments or voices complement each other.

Science

In genetics, organisms can be considered in pairs, particularly in reference to alleles – traits inherited in pairs.
Pair bonding is a term in animal behavior, referring to the strong, lasting relationships between mates.
In physics, the concept of particle pairs is significant, such as electron-positron pairs in quantum mechanics.

Literature

Many famous literary works explore the theme of pairs, such as in partnerships or contrasting characters, enhancing conflict and resolution.
In poetry, pairs of words or rhyming couplets create rhythmic patterns that enhance the emotional resonance of the piece.
Writers often use pairs symbolically to represent duality, like good versus evil in classic narratives.

Psychology

Humans tend to form pairs or groups, as social interactions often dictate our psychological well-being.
The 'pairing effect' suggests that individuals perceive items presented in pairs as more attractive or desirable.
Studies in social psychology indicate that people often mirror the actions of their 'paired' partners, enhancing bonds.

Translations

Translations of the word "pair" in other languages:

🇵🇹 par

🇮🇳 जोड़ा

🇩🇪 Paar

🇮🇩 pasangan

🇺🇦 пара

🇵🇱 para

🇯🇵 ペア

🇫🇷 paire

🇪🇸 par

🇹🇷 çift

🇰🇷 쌍

🇸🇦 زوج

🇨🇿 pár

🇸🇰 pár

🇨🇳 对

🇸🇮 par

🇮🇸 par

🇰🇿 жұп

🇬🇪 წყვილი

🇦🇿 cüt

🇲🇽 par

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,946, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.

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1943 enable
1944 radio
1945 famous
1946 pair
1947 courses
1948 addressed
1949 exposure
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