# pair

/ˈpɛɹ/ (US) · /pˈeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pair
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. two matching items

noun · CEFR A1

two things of the same kind that are used together.

For teachers: two identical or similar things intended to be used together or regarded as a single unit.

- I can't find a matching pair of socks in this drawer.
- She purchased an expensive pair of leather boots, hoping they would withstand the harsh winter conditions during her commute.

### 2. single item with two parts

noun · CEFR A2

one object that is made of two parts joined together, like glasses or trousers.

For teachers: a single article consisting of two joined, symmetrical parts; used with plural-only nouns.

- You will need a sharp pair of scissors to cut that thick paper.
- He misplaced his only pair of spectacles, making it nearly impossible to read the fine print on the legal documents.

Usage: Always used with 'of' followed by a plural noun, such as 'a pair of scissors' or 'a pair of jeans'.

### 3. two people

noun · CEFR A2

two people who are seen together, often because they are in a relationship or working together.

For teachers: two individuals associated through a romantic relationship, partnership, or shared activity.

- The young pair walked hand in hand through the park.
- The police are looking for a pair of suspects seen fleeing the gallery shortly after the alarm was triggered.

### 4. poker hand

noun · CEFR B2

two cards that have the same number or rank.

For teachers: a hand containing two cards of the same value.

- He had a pair of aces, so he decided to bet more money.
- Despite holding a high pair, she folded when the third heart appeared on the board, fearing her opponent had a flush.

### 5. to group together

verb · CEFR B1

to put two people or things together to work as a team.

For teachers: to arrange or group individuals or objects into sets of two.

- The teacher will pair each student with a partner for the project.
- The algorithm is designed to pair mentors with students based on their shared professional interests and geographic proximity.

### 6. to connect electronics

verb · CEFR B1

to connect two electronic devices, like your phone and your car, using Bluetooth.

For teachers: to establish a wireless connection between two electronic devices.

- You need to pair your phone with the speakers before you can play music.
- The system failed to pair with the wireless headset, likely due to a firmware incompatibility between the two devices.

### 7. to match food/drink

verb · CEFR B2

to choose a food and a drink that taste good together.

For teachers: to select a specific food and beverage combination to enhance their respective flavours.

- The waiter suggested we pair the white wine with the fish.
- The sommelier recommended pairing the spicy vintage with a robust blue cheese to balance the wine's high acidity.

## Examples

- I need a new pair of shoes.
- She bought a matching pair of earrings to wear with her blue dress for the wedding.
- The detective noticed a pair of muddy footprints leading away from the window, suggesting that the intruder had fled toward the garden.

---

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.