Pair Meaning and Definition
Pair
Pronunciation
/peɪr/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A set of two things that are together or associated; a match or a complement, often in a symmetrical or harmonious way.
Examples
- The pair of shoes were perfectly matched.
- The pair of complementary colors created a harmonious design.
Synonyms
- Pair
- Matched
- Complement
Antonyms
- Singleton
- Unmatched
- Mismatched
Etymology
The word ‘Pair’ originates from Old French ‘pair’, meaning ‘pair of oxen’, from Latin ‘pagina’, meaning ‘page’ or ‘sheet’, likely due to the ancient practice of pairing oxen to pull a plow.
Usage Notes
In formal writing, it’s common to use the phrase ‘a pair of’ before nouns, whereas in informal writing, you can use ‘a pair’ or ‘pair of’ interchangeably. When referring to people, use ‘a pair’ or ‘couple’ instead.
Cultural References
The term ‘pair’ appears in popular culture, such as in music, film, and literature. For example, the song ‘Pair of Brown Eyes’ by The Pogues, or the TV show ‘Pair of Kings’.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Idioms and phrases like ‘pair up’, ‘match made in heaven’, ‘perfect pair’, or ‘ odd pair’ are common ways to use the term ‘pair’ in everyday language.
Related Words or Phrases
Words like ‘match’, ‘complement’, ‘singleton’, ‘pairing’, and ‘combination’ are closely related to ‘pair’ in meaning and usage.
Collocations
Pairs are often collocated with words like ‘shoes’, ‘socks’, ‘gloves’, ‘pumpkin’, or ‘plants’, suggesting a connection between the pair and its complementary parts.
Frequency of Use
The word ‘pair’ is moderately used in everyday language, with a frequency index of 67.92 according to the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA).
Common Misspellings
Misspellings like ‘peir’, ‘paire’, or ‘pare’ are common variations of the word ‘pair’, but the correct spelling remains the most widely accepted and used.