matchmaker
|match-mak-er|
🇺🇸
/ˈmætʃmeɪkər/
🇬🇧
/ˈmætʃmeɪkə/
someone who pairs people
Etymology
'matchmaker' is a compound formed in Modern English from 'match' + 'maker', where 'match' means 'a suitable pairing' and 'maker' means 'one who makes or arranges'.
'match' (sense of a suitable pair) developed in Middle English from earlier Germanic words meaning 'mate' or 'companion', and the compound 'matchmaker' arose by combining that sense with 'maker' to denote a person who arranges matches.
Originally, 'match' referred to a suitable pairing or mate; over time the compound 'matchmaker' came to specifically denote a person who arranges romantic or marital pairings (and by extension any arranger of pairings).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who arranges or introduces people for the purpose of marriage or romantic relationships.
The matchmaker introduced them at the community gathering.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person or service that pairs people, teams, or opponents for events or competitions (a arranger of matches).
The club's matchmaker scheduled the weekend fixtures.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/09/02 13:42