(pairs, pairing, paired)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
A pair of things are two things of the same size and shape that are used together or are both part of something, for example shoes, earrings, or parts of the body.
...a pair of socks.
...trainers that cost up to 90 pounds a pair...
72,000 pairs of hands clapped in unison to the song.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
2.
Some objects that have two main parts of the same size and shape are referred to as a pair, for example a pair of trousers or a pair of scissors.
...a pair of faded jeans.
...a pair of binoculars.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
3.
You can refer to two people as a pair when they are standing or walking together or when they have some kind of relationship with each other.
A pair of teenage boys were smoking cigarettes...
N-SING
4.
If one thing is paired with another, it is put with it or considered with it.
The trainees will then be paired with experienced managers.
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed with n
• pairing
...the pairing of these two fine musicians.
N-UNCOUNT: usu the N of n
5.
6.
If you say that someone is or has a safe pair of hands, you mean that they are reliable and will not make any serious mistakes. (BRIT JOURNALISM)
He has now held five cabinet posts and remains a safe pair of hands.
PHRASE: PHR after v