pair

noun countable

UK /peə(r)/

Word Forms

singular	pair
plural	pairs

1
two things of the same type that belong together
Those boots cost fifty pounds a pair.
pair of:
I need a pair of earrings to go with this outfit.
a pair of beautiful blue eyes
a pair of shoes/socks/gloves
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
1. 1a
  one of the things that form a pair
  the pair for/to something:
  I can’t find the pair for this sock.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific numbers of people or things
  baker’s dozen
  brace
  couple
2
a single unit made up of two similar parts joined together
My glasses are getting old and I probably need a new pair.
pair of:
a pair of scissors/binoculars/pliers
a pair of trousers/pants/tights
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
3
two people who are connected with each other
The pair became good friends.
pair of:
several pairs of identical twins
a pair of lovers
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
1. 3a
  two people who are doing something together
  pair of:
  Two pairs of guards stood just inside the main entrance to the museum.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific numbers of people or things
  baker’s dozen
  brace
  couple
4
a male and female animal who breed (=produce baby animals)
pair of:
A pair of sparrows had made a nest in the hedge.
a breeding pair of tropical fish
Synonyms and related words
Animal breeding and mating
asexual reproduction
bloodline
breed
1. 4a
  old-fashionedtwo horses or other animals used for pulling a vehicle
  a carriage and pair
  Synonyms and related words
  Road vehicles pulled by horses
  brougham
  buggy
  cab
5
in card games, two cards that have the same number or picture on them
Synonyms and related words
Relating to card games
bid
call
cards

phrases

an extra pair of hands

a safe pair of hands

in pairs

grow a pair

pair

noun countable

US /per/

Word Forms

singular	pair
plural	pairs

1
two things of the same type that belong together
Those boots cost fifty dollars a pair.
pair of:
I need a pair of earrings to go with this outfit.
a pair of beautiful blue eyes
a pair of shoes/socks/gloves
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
1. 1a
  one of the things that form a pair
  the pair for/to something:
  I can’t find the pair for this sock.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific numbers of people or things
  baker’s dozen
  brace
  couple
2
a single unit made up of two similar parts joined together
a pair of pants/tights
My glasses are getting old and I probably need a new pair.
pair of:
a pair of scissors/binoculars/pliers
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
3
two people who are connected with each other
The pair became good friends.
pair of:
several pairs of identical twins
a pair of lovers
Synonyms and related words
Specific numbers of people or things
baker’s dozen
brace
couple
1. 3a
  two people who are doing something together
  pair of:
  Two pairs of guards stood just inside the main entrance to the museum.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific numbers of people or things
  baker’s dozen
  brace
  couple
4
a male and female animal who breed (=produce baby animals)
pair of:
A pair of sparrows had made a nest in the hedge.
a breeding pair of tropical fish
Synonyms and related words
Animal breeding and mating
asexual reproduction
bloodline
breed
1. 4a
  old-fashionedtwo horses or other animals used for pulling a vehicle
  a carriage and pair
  Synonyms and related words
  Road vehicles pulled by horses
  brougham
  buckboard
  buggy
5
in card games, two cards that have the same number or picture on them
Synonyms and related words
Relating to card games
bid
call
cards

phrases

an extra pair of hands

in pairs

grow a pair

pair

verb transitive

UK /peə(r)/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pair
he/she/it	pairs
present participle	pairing
past tense	paired
past participle	paired

1
to put two people or things together
We pair the students for particular courses.
The dress looked wonderful paired with a long leather coat.
Synonyms and related words
To put things together or in a particular order
prepend
sort
arrange

phrasal verbs

pair off

pair up

pair

verb transitive

US /per/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	pair
he/she/it	pairs
present participle	pairing
past tense	paired
past participle	paired

1
to put two people or things together
pair someone/something with someone/something:
Woods was paired with Duval for the final round.
The dress looked wonderful paired with a long leather coat.
Synonyms and related words
To put things together or in a particular order
prepend
sort
arrange

phrasal verbs

pair off

pair up

pair ​‌‌‌

pair ​‌‌‌

pair

pair

pair

pair