# mismatch

/ˈmɪsˌmætʃ/ (US) · /mɪsmˈætʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mismatch
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a situation where two things do not fit together or do not match each other. You use this when there is a difference between what you have and what you need.

For teachers: a failure to correspond or match; a discrepancy between two or more elements. Often describes a lack of alignment between skills and requirements or supply and demand.

## Examples

- There is a mismatch between his skills and the job.
- The project failed because of a clear mismatch between the ambitious goals and the limited budget available.
- Economists often point to a structural mismatch in the labor market, where the qualifications of the unemployed do not align with the technical requirements of vacant positions.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with the preposition 'between' to identify the two conflicting elements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.