pair
pair — noun
1. a group of two items that match in style and size and belong together — for exam
a group of two items that match in style and size and belong together — for example, two shoes, two earrings, two socks — or one object made from two attached halves such as scissors or trousers.
Maya bought a new pair of running shoes for the marathon.
a pair of + plural noun
The hotel left a fresh pair of slippers beside each bed.
Carlos cut the rope with a pair of kitchen scissors.
I can only find one sock — where is the other half of the pair?
Priya wore a beautiful pair of silver earrings to the wedding.
文法句型
a pair of + plural noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the structure 'a pair of + plural noun'. With two-part objects like scissors, trousers, glasses, jeans, shorts, the verb stays singular: 'this pair of jeans is too tight', not 'are too tight'.
常見錯誤
2. two people seen as a unit because they are dating, married, working side by side
two people seen as a unit because they are dating, married, working side by side, or sharing the same activity, such as dance partners or research partners.
The young pair held hands as they walked along the beach.
Lina and Diego make a great pair on the dance floor.
two people working / performing together
The teacher asked the students to work in pairs on the science project.
That pair of detectives has solved every case this year.
The retired couple were a devoted pair after fifty years of marriage.
文法句型
pair of + plural noun for people
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1: when 'pair' refers to people, it carries a sense of partnership or shared activity, not just 'two of the same kind'. Often appears in the phrase 'work in pairs' for classroom or task contexts.
常見錯誤
3. a male and female animal of the same species that mate together to raise babies,
a male and female animal of the same species that mate together to raise babies, often used by zoologists and bird-watchers when describing nesting or breeding behaviour.
A breeding pair of bald eagles built their nest high in the pine tree.
breeding pair of + animal
The zoo introduced a new pair of red pandas to the enclosure last spring.
Wildlife rangers spotted a pair of swans nesting beside the lake.
Scientists believe only forty pairs of these rare parrots remain in the wild.
- mates
refers to the relationship; 'pair' refers to the unit of two.
文法句型
a (breeding) pair of + animal noun
用法筆記
Common in conservation and ornithology contexts. 'Breeding pair' is a fixed compound used to count viable reproductive units in a wild population — different from just any two animals of the species.
4. in cricket, the unfortunate result when a batter is dismissed for zero runs in b
in cricket, the unfortunate result when a batter is dismissed for zero runs in both turns at bat during the same match, considered a low point in any player's career.
The young opener was devastated after scoring a pair on his test debut.
score a pair (cricket)
Even legendary batters have made a pair at some point in their careers.
Commentators called it a king pair when he was bowled first ball in both innings.
Australian captain Steve Smith was angry after collecting a pair against India.
- double duck
informal description; 'pair' is the standard cricket term.
文法句型
score / make / get a pair
用法筆記
Sport-specific cricket jargon. A 'king pair' is the worst version: out first ball in both innings. Distinct from a 'duck' (single innings with zero runs); a 'pair' is two ducks in one match.
pair — verb
1. to put two things or two people together because they go well as a set, or to co
to put two things or two people together because they go well as a set, or to come together in this way — for example, choosing a wine to drink with a meal, or matching students for an activity.
The waiter paired the grilled salmon with a crisp white wine.
pair X with Y (food and drink)
Ms. Tanaka paired each student with a partner for the speaking exercise.
pair (people) with
This blue scarf pairs nicely with your grey winter coat.
The dancers paired up quickly when the music started.
The chef likes to pair sweet flavours with a touch of salt.
- separate
to take apart what was joined.
文法句型
pair sth with sth
pair up
用法筆記
Often used in fashion, food, and education contexts. 'Pair up' as a phrasal verb is the intransitive equivalent — people pair up themselves, but objects are paired (passive) by someone.
常見錯誤
2. to set up a wireless link between two electronic devices using Bluetooth, so tha
to set up a wireless link between two electronic devices using Bluetooth, so that one can send sound or data to the other — for example, joining headphones to a phone.
Marcus paired his new earbuds with his iPhone in less than a minute.
pair (device) with (device)
Tap the Bluetooth icon on the screen to pair your watch.
The car stereo will not pair with my old Android phone.
Once paired, the speaker remembers your phone for next time.
- unpair
to undo the Bluetooth link.
- disconnect
general term for breaking a connection.
文法句型
pair sth with sth
pair to sth
用法筆記
Modern technology sense. The object pairs 'with' another device, never 'to' it in everyday usage. Often appears in passive form ('once paired', 'not yet paired') in setup instructions.