Fit, Match, Suit, Go Well WithHello, English learners, and welcome to another lesson. Today we are going to look at four words and phrases that learners often confuse: fit, match, suit, go well with.

They are often used when we talk about clothes, colours, style and appearance, but they are not exactly the same.

Compare these sentences:

• These shoes fit me.
• These shoes match my bag.
• These shoes suit you.
• These shoes go well with your dress.

All four sentences are correct, but each one says something different.

Fit

Fit means that something is the right size and shape for your body.

If clothes or shoes fit you, they are not too big, too small, too tight or too loose.

Think: Is it the right size?

• These jeans don’t fit me any more. They’re too tight.
• The shoes fit, but they’re not very comfortable.

In British English, both fit and fitted can be used as the past tense, but fitted is common when talking about clothes.

• The coat fitted perfectly.

Learner note:

Fit is not only for clothes. It can also mean that something is the right size for a space.

• The sofa won’t fit through the door.
• Can all these books fit on one shelf?
• This table fits nicely in the corner.

Match

Match means that two or more things look good together because they are the same or similar in colour, pattern, style or design.

Think: Are these things similar or coordinated?

Examples:

• Her bag matches her shoes.
• Your tie doesn’t match your shirt.
• The curtains match the carpet.

When things do not match, they may look strange together because the colours, patterns or styles are too different.

• That purple tie doesn’t match your green shirt.

We often use match when two things are deliberately coordinated.

• She wore a blue dress with earrings to match.
• The bridesmaids wore matching dresses.

Common phrases:

• matching colours
• matching socks
• a matching jacket
• a bag to match
• shoes to match

Suit

Suit means that something looks good on a person or is right for their appearance, personality, age or style.

If something suits you, it makes you look attractive, natural or appropriate.

Think: Does it look good on this person?

• Blue suits her because it brings out the colour of her eyes.
• Short hair doesn’t suit me.

The important point is this:

Fit is about size.

Suit is about appearance.

Compare:

• The dress fits her, but it doesn’t suit her.

This means the dress is the right size, but it does not look good on her.

Suit can also mean that something is convenient or appropriate for someone.

Examples:

• Friday suits me.
• Does 6 o’clock suit you?
• This job suits her personality.
• Online learning doesn’t suit everyone.
• The course is suitable for intermediate learners.

Learner note:

Suit as a verb is common in everyday English.

• Monday suits me fine.

Suitable is the adjective form and is often more formal.

• This course is suitable for B2 learners.

Go well with

Go well with means that two things look, taste or work good together.

It is similar to match, but it is more general. Things that go well with each other do not have to be the same colour, pattern or style. They simply complement each other.

Think: Do these things look or work good together?

• This white blouse goes well with jeans.
• Those shoes go well with your dress.

Go well with vs match

Match often means that two things are the same or very similar in colour, style or pattern.

Go well with means that two things look or work good together, even if they are different.

Compare:

• Her red bag matches her red shoes.
• Her brown boots go well with her green coat.

In the first sentence, the bag and shoes are the same colour.

In the second sentence, the boots and coat are different colours, but they look good together.

Quick comparison

Quiz:

Related posts:

• Wear, Dress, Suit, Fit 
• Food, Dish, Meal, Course, Cuisine 
• Vocabulary for Describing Clothes 
• Vocabulary Related to Fashion 
• Describing the Way People Dress 

Build Your Everyday Vocabulary Through Stories

Knowing the difference between fit, match, suit and go well with is one small step towards using English more naturally.

If you enjoy learning vocabulary in context, explore the Step into English Complete Collection. You’ll learn useful words and expressions through 90 engaging short stories, with vocabulary practice, speaking activities and writing tasks from A2 to C1.

FAQ: Fit, Match, Suit and Go Well With

What is the difference between fit and suit?
Fit means something is the right size or shape. Suit means something looks good on a person or is right for them. For example: This jacket fits me, but the colour doesn’t suit me.

What does match mean in English?
Match means that two or more things look good together because they are the same or similar in colour, pattern or style. For example: Her bag matches her shoes.

What does go well with mean?
Go well with means that two things look, taste or work good together. For example: This shirt goes well with jeans or Cheese goes well with wine.

Can I say “this colour fits you”?
No. Say this colour suits you. We use fit for size and shape, but suit for appearance.

Is “suits with you” correct?
No. Say this dress suits you, not this dress suits with you.