Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense equals, present participle equalling, past tense, past participle equalledregional note: in AM, use equaling, equaled
1. adjective
If two things are equal or if one thing is equalto another, they are the same in size, number, standard, or value.
Investors can borrow an amount equal to the property's purchase price. [+ to]
...in a population having equal numbers of men and women.
Research and teaching are of equal importance.
Synonyms: identical, the same, matched, matching More Synonyms of equal
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If different groups of people have equal rights or are given equal treatment, they have the same rights or are treated the same as each other, however different they are.
We will be justly demanding equal rights at work.
...the commitment to equal opportunities.
...new legislation allowing companies to compete on equal terms.
3. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that people are equal, you mean that they have or should have the same rights and opportunities as each other.
We are equal in every way.
We teach our children that everyone is equal under the law.
4. countable noun
Someone who is your equal has the same ability, status, or rights as you have.
She was one of the boys, their equal.
You should have married somebody more your equal.
Synonyms: match, equivalent, fellow, twin More Synonyms of equal
5. adjective
If someone is equal to a particular job or situation, they have the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal successfully with it.
She was determined that she would be equal to any test the corporation put to them. [+ to]
The guards were equal to anything.
Synonyms: capable of, up to, ready for, suitable for More Synonyms of equal
6. link verb
If something equals a particular number or amount, it is the same as that amount or the equivalent of that amount.
The average pay rise equalled 1.41 times inflation. [VERB amount]
Synonyms: amount to, make, come to, total More Synonyms of equal
7. verb
To equal something or someone means to be as good or as great as them.
The victory equalled Southend's best in history. [VERB noun]
No amount of money can equal memories like that. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: be as good as, match, compare with, equate with More Synonyms of equal
8.
See has no equal
9.
See other things being equal
More Synonyms of equal
equal in British English
(ˈiːkwəl)
adjective
1. (often foll byto or with)
identical in size, quantity, degree, intensity, etc; the same (as)
2.
having identical privileges, rights, status, etc
everyone is equal before the law
3.
having uniform effect or application
equal opportunities
4.
evenly balanced or proportioned
the game was equal between the teams
5. (usually foll by to)
having the necessary or adequate strength, ability, means, etc (for)
to be equal to one's work
6. another word for equivalent (sense 3a)
noun
7.
a person or thing equal to another, esp in merit, ability, etc
he has no equal when it comes to boxing
verbWord forms: equals, equalling, equalledWord forms: USequals, equaling or equaled
8. (transitive)
to be equal to; correspond to; match
my offer equals his
9. (intransitive; usually foll byout)
to become equal or level
10. (transitive)
to make, perform, or do something equal to
to equal the world record
11. (transitive) archaic
to make equal
▶ USAGE The use of more equal as in from now on their relationship will be a more equal one is acceptable in modern English usage. Equally is preferred to equally as in sentences such as reassuring the victims is equally important. Just as is preferred to equally as in sentences such as their surprise was just as great as his
Derived forms
equally (ˈequally)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin aequālis, from aequus level, of obscure origin
equal in American English
(ˈikwəl)
adjective
1.
of the same quantity, size, number, value, degree, intensity, quality, etc.
2.
having the same rights, privileges, ability, rank, etc.
3.
evenly proportioned; balanced or uniform in effect or operation
4.
having the necessary ability, strength, power, capacity, or courage
with to
equal to the challenge
5. Archaic
fair; just; impartial
6. Archaic
smooth and flat; level
7. Archaic
equable
noun
8.
any thing or person that is equal
to be the equal of another
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈequaled or ˈequalled, ˈequaling or ˈequalling
9.
to be equal to; match in value, degree, etc.
10.
to do or make something equal to
to equal a record
11. Archaic
to make equal; equalize
SIMILAR WORDS: same
Word origin
ME < L aequalis, equal < aequus, level, even, flat
Examples of 'equal' in a sentence
equal
The other big driving force has been equal pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All cut the same number of calories from food intake and also burned up an equal amount.
The Sun (2017)
The modern game now has equal numbers of men and women and various ethnicities.
The Sun (2016)
It is clearly a topic that concerns and excites in equal measure.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They have been refused equal rights to education, healthcare and marriage.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
No crime number equals no claim - another pleasing win for insurers.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Let's keep talking about this issue until things are equal.
The Sun (2016)
Now many of my female friends in the City have set up groups to mentor younger women and fight for equal pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their relationship changed from 2013 where they were given equal opportunity and then again in 2014 when theycould win races and the championship.
The Sun (2016)
To have equal rights is still a big job for women.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is more social mobility in more equal societies and less obesity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This continues until money demand has been reduced sufficiently to equal money supply.
Maurice D. Levi International Finance: The markets and financial management of multinational business. (1983)
There are almost equal numbers of men and women on the payroll.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This is one plus one equals two.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You have to have an equal measure of concern and love.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
These need not be equal in size as the majority of people have three main meals daily.
Budd, Martin Diets to Help Diabetes (1983)
No one could argue that equal pay for equal work is fair and just.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Surely by now we should be on an equal footing with men in all careers?
The Sun (2011)
The big summer drink plus ice cream equals our new favourite summer pudding.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They wanted them to be of equal status.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Maybe we all need to stop and think about what equals a good time.
The Sun (2016)
The maths would suggest that speed plus jumping ability equals a cracking long jump.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Of equal importance was the fact that staff now felt that their work was better understood.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
Or are some games are more equal than others?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The equal rights law does not seem to apply to the entertainment business.
The Sun (2011)
Surely a very long lunch can provide equal amounts of joy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This means that the regulatory costs of just three policy objectives are equal to the average land value.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But other things were not equal.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Therefore the probability of rise equals 52 percent.
Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)
In other languages
equal
British English: equal /ˈiːkwəl/ ADJECTIVE
If two things are equal, or if one thing is equal to another, they are the same in size, number, or value.
...equal numbers of men and women.
American English: equal
Arabic: مُساوٍ
Brazilian Portuguese: igual
Chinese: 相等的
Croatian: ravnopravan
Czech: stejný
Danish: lige
Dutch: gelijk
European Spanish: igual
Finnish: tasavertainen
French: égal
German: gleich
Greek: ίσος
Italian: uguale
Japanese: 等しい
Korean: 같은
Norwegian: lik
Polish: równy
European Portuguese: igual
Romanian: egal
Russian: равный
Latin American Spanish: igual
Swedish: jämbördig
Thai: ซึ่งเท่ากัน
Turkish: eşit
Ukrainian: рівний
Vietnamese: bằng nhau
British English: equal /ˈiːkwəl/ VERB
To equal something or someone means to be as good or as great as them.
He has equalled his opponent's record of five championship titles in a season.
American English: equal
Arabic: يُساوِي
Brazilian Portuguese: igualar
Chinese: 比得上
Croatian: ujednačiti
Czech: rovnat se kolik, komu
Danish: være lig med
Dutch: evenaren
European Spanish: igualar
Finnish: olla tasavertainen
French: égaler
German: gleichen
Greek: εξισώνω
Italian: equivalere
Japanese: ･･･に等しい
Korean: ...과 같다
Norwegian: være lik
Polish: dorównać
European Portuguese: igualar
Romanian: a egala
Russian: равняться
Latin American Spanish: igualar
Swedish: vara lik
Thai: ทำให้เท่าเทียมกัน
Turkish: eşitlemek
Ukrainian: дорівнювати
Vietnamese: bằng với
British English: equal NOUN
Someone who is your equal has the same ability, status, or rights as you have.
She was one of the boys, their equal.
American English: equal
Brazilian Portuguese: igual
Chinese: 同等的人能力、地位或权利等
European Spanish: igual
French: égal
German: Gleichgestellte
Italian: pari ()
Japanese: 匹敵者
Korean: 동등한 사람
European Portuguese: igual
Latin American Spanish: igual
All related terms of 'equal'
equal pay
the right of a man or woman to receive the same pay as a person of the opposite sex doing the same or similar work for the same or a similar employer
equal-area
(of a map projection ) showing area accurately and therefore distorting shape and direction
equal sign
An equal sign is the sign =, which is used in arithmetic to indicate that two numbers or sets of numbers are equal.
equal time
a policy stating that opposing political candidates must be offered the same amount of broadcasting time for television and radio campaigns
equal amount
The amount of something is how much there is, or how much you have, need , or get .
equal portion
A portion is the amount of food that is given to one person at a meal .
equal marriage
A marriage is the relationship between two people who are married .
equal treatment
Your treatment of someone is the way you behave towards them or deal with them.
has no equal
If you say that someone or something has no equal , you think that there is nothing that is as good as them or that reaches the same standard .
equal importance
The importance of something is its quality of being significant , valued, or necessary in a particular situation .
equal opportunity
the offering of employment , pay, or promotion equally to all, without discrimination as to sex , race , colour, disability , etc
equal temperament
the division of an octave into 12 equal semitones , as in the tuning of a piano
equal opportunities
Equal opportunities refers to the policy of giving everyone the same opportunities for employment , pay and promotion, without discriminating against particular groups.
separate but equal
pertaining to a racial policy by which black people may be segregated if granted equal opportunities and facilities , as for education , transportation , or jobs
Equal Rights Amendment
a proposed amendment to the US Constitution enshrining equality between the sexes
equal opportunities employer
An equal opportunities employer is an employer who gives people the same opportunities for employment, pay, and promotion, without discrimination against anyone.
equal opportunity employer
An equal opportunity employer is an employer who gives people the same opportunities for employment , pay , and promotion, without discrimination against anyone.
other things being equal
If you say ' other things being equal ' or ' all things being equal ' when talking about a possible situation , you mean if nothing unexpected happens or if there are no other factors which affect the situation.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(in the US) a body appointed by the government to end employment discrimination
on equal terms/on the same terms
If two people or groups compete on equal terms or on the same terms , neither of them has an advantage over the other.
Chinese translation of 'equal'
equal
(ˈiːkwl)
adj
[size, number, amount]相等的 (xiāngděng de)
[intensity, importance]同样(樣)的 (tóngyàng de)
n(c)
(= peer) 相仿的人 (xiāngfǎng de rén) (个(個), gè)
vt
[number, amount]等于(於) (děngyú)
(= match, rival) 比得上 (bǐ de shàng)
they are roughly equal in size它们(們)大小差不多 (tāmen dàxiǎo chàbuduō)
to be equal to (= the same as) 与(與) ... 相同 (yǔ ... xiāngtóng)
to be equal to a task/demand胜(勝)任一项(項)任务(務)/要求 (shèngrèn yī xiàng rènwù/yāoqiú)
79 minus 14 equals 6579减(減)14等于(於)65 (qīshíjiǔ jiǎn shísì děngyú liùshíwǔ)
All related terms of 'equal'
to be equal to
( the same as ) 与(與) ... 相同 yǔ ... xiāngtóng
on an equal footing
在平等的基础(礎)上 zài píngděng de jīchǔ shang
on equal or the same terms
按同样(樣)条(條)件 àn tóngyàng tiáojiàn
they are roughly equal in size
它们(們)大小差不多 tāmen dàxiǎo chàbuduō
to be equal to a task/demand
胜(勝)任一项(項)任务(務)/要求 shèngrèn yī xiàng rènwù/yāoqiú
1 (adjective)
Definition
identical in size, quantity, degree, or intensity
a population having equal numbers of men and women
Synonyms
identical
Nearly all the houses were identical.
the same
matched
matching
She made matching cushion covers.
like
She's a great friend; we are like sisters.
equivalent
One hand is equivalent to four inches.
uniform
alike
We are very alike.
corresponding
March and April sales this year were up 8 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
tantamount
one and the same
proportionate
commensurate
Employees are paid salaries commensurate with those of teachers.
Opposites
different
,
unlike
,
diverse
,
unequal
,
disproportionate
,
dissimilar
2 (adjective)
Definition
applying in the same way to all people or in all circumstances
Women demand equal rights with men.
Synonyms
fair
I wanted them to get a fair deal.
just
She fought honestly for a just cause and for freedom.
impartial
They offer impartial advice, guidance and information to students.
egalitarian
I believe in the notion of an egalitarian society.
unbiased
The researchers were expected to be unbiased.
even-handed
The administration wants to ensure the meetings appear even-handed.
equable
Opposites
unfair
,
biased
,
partial
,
unjust
,
unequal
,
inequitable
3 (adjective)
an equal contest
Synonyms
even
Divide the dough into 12 even pieces.
balanced
a fair, balanced, comprehensive report
fifty-fifty (informal)
evenly matched
evenly balanced
evenly proportioned
Opposites
uneven
,
unequal
,
unbalanced
,
unmatched
4 (adjective)
Synonyms
regular
regular rows of wooden huts
uniform
Chips should be cut into uniform size and thickness.
symmetrical
the neat rows of perfectly symmetrical windows
unvarying
Opposites
irregular
5 (adjective)
Definition
having the necessary strength, ability, or means for
She wanted to show she was equal to any test they gave her.
Synonyms
capable of
up to
ready for
suitable for
fit for
strong enough for
good enough for
sufficient for
adequate for
competent to
(noun)
Definition
a person or thing equal to another
She was one of them, their equal.
Synonyms
match
Moira was a perfect match for him.
equivalent
RTE, the Irish equivalent of the BBC
fellow
twin
the twin of the chair she had at the cottage
mate
The guest cabin is a mirror image of its mate.
peer
Her personality made her popular with her peers.
parallel
It is an ecological disaster with no parallel in the modern era.
counterpart
It is unlikely that his counterpart in India will disagree with him at this point.
compeer
1 (verb)
The average pay rise equalled 1.41 times inflation.
Synonyms
amount to
make
come to
total
Their exports will total £85 million this year.
balance
agree with
level
parallel
tie with
equate
the maximum compensation available, equating to six months' wages
correspond to
be equal to
square with
be tantamount to
equalize
Such measures are needed to equalize wage rates between countries.
tally with
be level with
be even with
Opposites
be different
,
disagree with
,
be unequal to
2 (verb)
Definition
to be equal to
The victory equalled Scotland's best in history.
Synonyms
be equal to
match
reach
rival
London cannot rival the glamour of Barcelona or Madrid.
come up to
be level with
be even with
3 (verb)
Definition
to make or do something equal to
No amount of money can equal memories like that.
Synonyms
be as good as
match
We matched them in every department of the game.
compare with
equate with
measure up to
be as great as
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alike
Definition
similar
We are very alike.
Synonyms
similar,
close,
the same,
equal,
equivalent,
uniform,
parallel,
resembling,
identical,
corresponding,
akin,
duplicate,
analogous,
homogeneous,
of a piece,
cut from the same cloth,
like two peas in a pod
in the sense of balanced
a fair, balanced, comprehensive report
Synonyms
unbiased,
just,
fair,
equal,
objective,
neutral,
detached,
open-minded,
equitable,
impartial,
disinterested,
even-handed,
nonpartisan,
unprejudiced,
without fear or favour,
nondiscriminating
in the sense of commensurate
Definition
corresponding in degree, size, or value
Employees are paid salaries commensurate with those of teachers.