mismatch — a combination of things or people that do not work well together or are not suitable for each other
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a combination of things or people that do not work well together or are not suitable for each other
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɪsˌmætʃ/
Example Sentences
- His Superman costume and flip-flops were such a mismatch that even supervillains laughed.
- There's a serious mismatch between what students learn and what employers need.
- She accidentally mismatched her socks - one had cats, the other had dogs fighting.
mismatch
NOUN[/ˈmɪsˌmætʃ/]
a combination of things or people that do not work well together or are not suitable for each other
a combination of things or people that do not work well together or are not suitable for each other
Every patch makes it harder to catch the original design!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This word emerged in the 16th century as a compound formation in English, combining the prefix 'mis-' (meaning wrongly or badly) with 'match' (to pair or fit together), literally denoting something that is paired or fitted incorrectly.
Breakdown
mis- (wrongly, badly) + match (to pair or fit together). The prefix 'mis-' derives from Old English and Germanic roots meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly', while 'match' comes from Middle English 'macchen', of uncertain origin but related to the concept of pairing or joining.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His Superman costume and flip-flops were such a mismatch that even supervillains laughed.”
“There's a serious mismatch between what students learn and what employers need.”
“She accidentally mismatched her socks - one had cats, the other had dogs fighting.”
“The elegant restaurant and his casual outfit created an awkward mismatch.”
📚Related Words
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