matchmake

English

Alternative forms

• match-make

Etymology

match +‎ make, as back-formation from matchmaking.

Verb

matchmake (third-person singular simple present matchmakes, present participle matchmaking, simple past and past participle matchmade)

1. To do matchmaking: to set up a date between two people or to arrange a marriage.
   • 1700, [William] Congreve, The Way of the World, a Comedy. , London: Jacob Tonson, , →OCLC, Act III, scene xviii, page 49:

     Why then Foible’s a Bawd, an Errant, Rank, Match-making Bawd.

   • 1864 August – 1866 January, [Elizabeth] Gaskell, Wives and Daughters. An Every-day Story. , volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Smith, Elder and Co., , published 1866, →OCLC:

     And pray remember, I am the last person in the world to match-make.

   • 1876, Louisa May Alcott, Rose in Bloom:

     We are a couple of old fools to be matchmaking so soon ...

   • 2002: Alias (TV, episode 2.09)

     Not to brag, but I'm kind of responsible for matchmaking you and Irina.

Usage notes

• This is rare except in the progressive form matchmaking.

Derived terms

• match-maker, matchmaker
• matchmaking

Translations