match

Everyday

1. A match is a game between two players or teams: a football match. tree →
2. A match is a small stick that makes a flame when you strike it. tree →
3. To match is to go well together or be the same: the socks match. tree →
4. To match things is to find pairs that belong together. tree →
5. To be a match for someone is to be as good as them. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: games counted or won (won + lost + drawn = played), matchsticks counted to make shapes (shapes × sticks each, minus shared sides), or pairing things up («match each number to its sum»). In safety: matches are only for adults; never play with matches or fire. In everyday life: a tennis match, matching socks, a perfect match.

Examples

• The team played 10 matches and won 6. tree →
• How many did they lose? tree →
• A square uses 4 matches. tree →
• Match each number to its sum. tree →
• We watched the rugby match on Saturday. tree →
• Never play with matches. tree →
• Her hat matches her scarf. tree →
• Match the words to the pictures. tree →
• Dad struck a match to light the candles. tree →
• The new player was no match for the champion. tree →
• But he had met his match. tree →

Note

Plural: «matches». «Match» (UK) = «game» (USA) for sports. A box of matches holds many matches. Maths: games: won + lost (+ drawn) = played. Trap: squares in a row share sides, so they need fewer matches (3 squares in a row need 10, not 12).