matchmake
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
match + make, as back-formation from matchmaking.
Verb edit
matchmake (third-person singular simple present matchmakes, present participle matchmaking, simple past and past participle matchmade)
- 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 edit
- This is rare except in the progressive form matchmaking.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
to do matchmaking: to set up a date between two people or to arrange a marriage
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