Matchmaking

How to spell matchmaking

11 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce matchmaking

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does matchmaking mean?

1. nounThe activity of bringing two people together for romance or marriage, or of pairing parties for any purpose.

Matchmaking in a sentence

• The dating app built its reputation on careful matchmaking between busy professionals.

• Her aunt had a talent for matchmaking and introduced several couples who later married.

Where does matchmaking come from?

Language of origin: Germanic

This is a native English compound, built from two very old Germanic words. 'Match' in the sense of a suitable companion or counterpart comes from Old English 'gemæcca', meaning a mate, partner, or equal, while 'make' descends from Old English 'macian', meaning to bring about or fashion. Joined together, the term originally described the practical business of arranging marriages, a respected social role in many communities for centuries. Over time the word broadened beyond weddings to cover pairing people for any purpose, including sport, business deals, and online dating services. Because both halves are ordinary everyday words, the spelling is transparent; the only thing to watch is keeping the single shared letters straight in the seam between 'match' and 'making'.

How the word is built

• match (a pairing)
• make (to arrange)
• -ing (noun/gerund suffix)