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# mismatch

noun (a mismatch, mismatches); verb (mismatch, mismatches, mismatched, mismatching)

«mismatch» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A situation where two things do not fit together or do not match: «a mismatch between the picture and the words». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#m1)
2. A contest where one side is much stronger than the other. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#m2)
3. (verb) To put together things that do not match: «mismatched socks». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#m3)

### In the lessons

In maths and science, a mismatch between your answer and the expected result tells you to check your working. In computing, «type mismatch» is an error. In sport, a mismatch is a one-sided game. In fashion, «mismatched socks» are worn on Odd Socks Day (Anti-Bullying Week in the UK) to celebrate being different. Phrases: «a mismatch between», «mismatched socks», «a total mismatch».

### Examples

- There is a mismatch between your answer and the total – check your sums. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x1)
- I wore mismatched socks for Odd Socks Day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x2)
- The game was a mismatch: 10–0! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x3)
- The colours were mismatched, a pink top with orange trousers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x4)
- A size mismatch means the lid won't fit the box. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x5)
- The computer gave a «password mismatch» error. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x6)
- There was a mismatch between what he said and what he did. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x7)
- Mismatched shoes on the wrong feet made me trip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/#x8)

### Note

Countable noun: one mismatch, two mismatches. Regular verb: mismatched. In maths problems, a mismatch between the units (cm vs m) is a common trap – change to the same unit first.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mismatch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mismatch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mismatch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mismatch.html) on Mova free.