matchbox
matchbox Lexical Profile
matchbox Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A small box made of cardboard or thin wood designed to hold matches, typically featuring a rough striking surface on one or both of its longer sides.
"He retrieved a matchbox from his coat pocket to light the campfire."
A miniature die-cast toy vehicle, originally named for being small enough to fit into a box used for matches.
"She spent her childhood organizing her collection of vintage matchbox cars on a wooden display shelf."
A remarkably small, cramped, or flimsy physical space, such as a tiny room or house.
"The graduate students could only afford to rent a matchbox on the outskirts of the city."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-19th century as a compound of 'match' and 'box', corresponding to the widespread commercial introduction of friction matches that required a protective container with a rough striking surface.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.