pair
[noun]
Synonyms:
- couple, brace, duo, twins
[verb]
Synonyms:
- couple, bracket, join, match (up), team, twin

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English Thesaurus: pair, a couple (of something), couple, twins, duo, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. pair¹ S2 W2 /peə $ per/ noun (plural pairs or pair) [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: paire, from Latin paria 'equal things', from par; ⇒ par]

1. JOINED TOGETHER an object that is made from two similar parts that are joined together
pair of trousers/scissors/glasses etc
two pairs of jeans
a pair of black tights

2.
BELONGING TOGETHER two things of the same type that are used together
pair of
a new pair of sandals
pair of hands/eyes/legs etc
She felt as if every pair of eyes in the room was on her.
earrings, £5 a pair
a pair of skis
We have five pairs of free tickets to give away.

3. in pairs in groups of two:
We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise.
The leaves of the tree are arranged in pairs.

4. TWO PEOPLE two people who are standing or doing something together, or who have some type of connection with each other:
The pair are looking for sponsorship from local businesses.
pair of
a pair of dancers
► Do not use pair to talk about a husband and wife (or two people in a similar relationship). Use couple: They’re a nice couple (NOT pair).

5. the pair of you/them British English spoken used when you are angry or annoyed with two people:
Oh, get out, the pair of you.

6. TWO ANIMALS
a) a male and a female animal that come together in order to breed
pair of
a pair of doves
a breeding pair
b) old use two horses that work together

7. I’ve only got one pair of hands spoken used to say that you are busy and cannot do any more than you are already doing

8. an extra pair of hands someone who helps you do something when you are busy:
Having an extra pair of hands during busy periods can take the pressure off.

9. a safe pair of hands someone you can trust and depend on because they are sensible – used especially in news reports:
Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. pair² verb

1. [I, T usually passive] to put people or things into groups of two, or to form groups of two
be paired with somebody
We were each paired with a newcomer to help with training.

2. (also pair up) [intransitive] if animals pair, they come together in order to breed
pair off phrasal verb
to come together or bring two people together to have a romantic relationship:
All the others were pairing off and I was left on my own.
pair somebody off with somebody
My aunt was forever pairing me off with unsuitable men.
pair up phrasal verb

1. British English to become friends and start to have a relationship:
We learned later that he and Tanya had paired up.

2. to work together to do something or to put two people together to do something:
They first paired up in the screen adaptation of ‘Grease’.
pair somebody ↔ up
They have paired up writers and artists, and commissioned linked works.

3. if animals pair up, they come together in order to breed

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

pair
noun
I. two things the same
ADJ. matching a matching pair of vases
identical
PREP. in a/the ~ Answer one question in each pair.
in ~s These candlesticks only come in pairs.
~ of a pair of shoes
PHRASES one of a pair one of a pair of crystal vases

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pair
II. people who are connected
ADJ. inseparable | good | happy (= a newly married couple) | odd They make an odd pair.
VERB + PAIR match The pair were matched for age.
make I thought they would make a good pair so I arranged for them to meet.
PREP. in a/the ~ The students worked in pairs.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pair
III. male and female animal
ADJ. breeding
PAIR + VERB breed, mate
PREP. ~ of a pair of swans nesting by the river

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pair
noun
1.
BAD: The old pair next door have been married for 65 years.
GOOD: The old couple next door have been married for 65 years.

Usage Note:
Pair usually refers to things (e.g. 'a pair of scissors/socks') or to two people who are seen (doing something) together: 'It's about time the pair of you did some work.' 'The German pair need just two more points for the match.' Pair also refers to two animals that stay together and produce young: 'a pair of swifts with a family to feed'.
The usual word for a husband and wife (or two people in a similar relationship) is couple : 'Married couples should benefit from the new tax legislation.'

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2.
BAD: Have you always worn a pair of glasses?
GOOD: Have you always worn glasses?

Usage Note:
Pair of is usually used for individual reference (NOT general reference): 'I've bought two pairs of shoes for the children.'
Compare: 'They sell shoes and handbags .' (NOT 'pairs of shoes')

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

pair two things of the same type that you use together. Also used about two people who do something together or who you often see together:
a pair of shoes
a pair of socks
Winners will receive a pair of tickets for the show.
The pair were arrested six days after the killing.
They're a funny pair!
The British pair will be playing in the final on Saturday.
a couple (of something) two things of the same type, or a very small number of things:
There were a couple of empty seats at the table.
Do you have any stamps? I just need a couple.
couple noun [countable] two people who are married or having a sexual relationship:
a married couple
The couple met at university.
twins noun [plural] two children who were born on the same day to the same mother:
The twins look very alike.
identical twins
duo noun [countable] two people who perform together or who are often seen together:
a comedy duo
duet noun [countable] a piece of music written for two people to play:
They played a duet by Brahms.
twice two times adverb:
The group meets twice a week.
She sneezed twice.
for two for two people:
A table for two, please.
double bed/double room a bed for two people, or a room that has a bed for two people in it:
I'd like to book a double room.
twin beds/twin room two separate single beds, or a room with two separate single beds:
We asked for a twin room, and they've give us a double room.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

pair
pɛə
See: take to one's heels also show a clean pair of heels

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲