equal

[ ee-kwuhl ]

adjective

1. as great as; the same as (often followed by to or with ):

   The velocity of sound is not equal to that of light.

2. like or alike in quantity, degree, value, etc.; of the same rank, ability, merit, etc.:

   two students of equal brilliance.

   Synonyms: correspondent, coordinate, commensurate, proportionate

   Antonyms: different

3. evenly proportioned or balanced:

   an equal contest.

4. uniform in operation or effect:

   equal laws.

   Synonyms: invariant, regular, uniform, even

5. adequate or sufficient in quantity or degree:

   The supply is equal to the demand.

6. having adequate ability, means, or other characteristics: Their English boots were not equal to the rigors of a Canadian winter.

   He was equal to the task.

   Their English boots were not equal to the rigors of a Canadian winter.

   Synonyms: fitted, suited

   Antonyms: inadequate

7. tranquil or undisturbed:

   to confront death with an equal mind.

8. impartial or equitable.
9. Archaic. having an even surface; level:

   the treeless, equal plains.

noun

1. a person or thing that is equal to another, as in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.

   Synonyms: fellow, equivalent, match, compeer, peer, coequal

verb (used with object)

, e·qualed, e·qual·ing or (especially British) e·qualled, e·qual·ling.

1. to be or become equal to; meet or match:

   So far the rate of production doesn't equal the demand.

   If A equals B and B equals C, then A equals C.

2. to make or do something equal to:

   No matter how he tries, he can't equal his brother's achievements.

3. Archaic. to make equal; equalize.
4. Obsolete. to recompense fully.

equal

/ 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

   all men are 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

noun

1. a person or thing equal to another, esp in merit, ability, etc

   he has no equal when it comes to boxing

verb

1. tr to be equal to; correspond to; match

   my offer equals his

2. intrusually foll byout to become equal or level
3. tr to make, perform, or do something equal to

   to equal the world record

4. archaic.
   tr to make equal

Usage Note

See unique.

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

• ˈequally, adverb

Other Words From

• non·e·qual adjective noun
• qua·si-e·qual adjective
• qua·si-e·qual·ly adverb
• sub·e·qual adjective
• sub·e·qual·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of equal¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English adjective from Latin aequālis “equal, like,” equivalent to aequ(us) “even, plain, just” + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of equal¹

C14: from Latin aequālis, from aequus level, of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

• other things being equal
• separate but equal

Synonym Study

Equal, equivalent, tantamount imply a correspondence between two or more things. Equal indicates a correspondence in all respects or in a particular respect: A dime is equal to 10 cents (that is, in purchasing power). Equivalent indicates a correspondence in one or more respects, but not in all: An egg is said to be the equivalent of a pound of meat in nutritive value. Tantamount, a word of limited application, is used of immaterial things that are equivalent: The prisoner's refusal to answer was tantamount to an admission of guilt.

Example Sentences

Despite helping the Yankees reach the World Series this year in a stellar first season in the Bronx, Soto has also said all teams will have an equal opportunity to sign him.

From Los Angeles Times

Going by these statistics alone, it seems like the U.S. and Europe are on equal footing with food waste issues, in schools at least.

From Salon

“There’s a whole cosmopolitan mix of different nationalities now. We are all New Zealanders. I think we should work together and have equal rights.”

From BBC

Earlier this month, he slammed NBC over Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Live, claiming it broke an FCC rule that required political candidates to be provided equal air time.

From Salon

“It’s not something that will change the course of the war, but I think it will make our forces more equal.”

From BBC

Related Words

• balanced
• commensurate
• comparable
• corresponding
• equivalent
• identical
• proportionate