pairnoun [ C ]
uk/peər/us/per/A2 two things of the same appearance and size that are intended to be used together, or something that consists of two parts joined together:
a pair of shoes/gloves
a pair of scissors/glasses
I can't find a matching pair of socks.
He packed two pairs of trousers and four shirts.
I'd like you to do this exercise in pairs (= in groups of two).
two people who have a romantic relationship or are doing something together:
They seem a very happy pair.
What have the pair of you been up to?
two animals that come together to have sex and produce young:
a breeding pair
a mated pair of swans
More examples
- Rachel bought yet another pair of shoes to add to her collection.
- I burrowed through the clothes in the drawer looking for a clean pair of socks.
- She was wearing an old pair of trousers with rips at the knees.
- Shoplifters often work in pairs, with one creating a diversion to distract the shop assistants while the other steals the goods.
- You should see her wardrobe - it's unbelievable - she's got about 50 pairs of shoes.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Numbers: groups of things according to number
- baker's dozen
- brace
- companion
- couple
- dozen
- dyad
- gross
- score
- triad
- trinity
- trio
- twosome
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Groups of people
Animal reproduction
Animal groupings
pairverb [ I,T ]
uk/peər/us/per/to make something one of a pair, or to become one of a pair:
Famous paintings have been paired with poems by Sandburg, Angelou, and others.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Creating alliances
- affiliate
- align
- align yourself with sth/sb
- alliance
- ally
- ally yourself to/with sb
- associate
- associate with sb
- attach
- attach yourself to sb/sth
- cosiness
- go
- go in on sth
- hobnob
- integrate
- join
- network
- pair sb off
See more results »
Phrasal verb(s)
pair off
pair sb off
pair (sb) off
pair up