equate

American  

[ih-kweyt] / ɪˈkweɪt /

verb (used with object)

equated, equating

1. to regard, treat, or represent as equivalent.

   We cannot equate the possession of wealth with goodness.

2. to state the equality of or between; put in the form of an equation.

   to equate growing prosperity with the physical health of a nation.

3. to reduce to an average; make such correction or allowance in as will reduce to a common standard of comparison.

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equate British  

/ ɪˈkweɪt /

verb

1. to make or regard as equivalent or similar, esp in order to compare or balance

2. maths to indicate the equality of; form an equation from

3. (intr) to be equal; correspond

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Other Word Forms

• equatability noun
• equatable adjective
• unequated adjective

Etymology

Origin of equate

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin aequātus (past participle of aequāre to make equal), equivalent to aequ ( us ) equal + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

When you equate one thing with another, you say that they are both the same. You might equate indulging in a hot fudge sundae with giving up on your body entirely, but I would disagree. To equate means to make things equal, and it’s a useful word because this is something people do all the time. They equate strong political views with fascism, they equate having lots of money with good taste, and they equate popularity with goodness. Remember, though, that just because you equate one thing with another does not mean that they really are the same! As you have no doubt noticed, equate has the Latin root equ that means "equal, level," so look there if you need a reminder as to its meaning.

Example Sentences

That drop would equate to the disappearance of the entire Moreno Valley Unified School District, which is one of the 25 largest school systems in the state.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

As AI-assisted writing spreads, prose quality becomes a weaker signal of case quality—and firms that equate “well written” with “more legitimate” may be unwittingly favoring AI-assisted complaints.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

And those fees typically equate to 1.5% to 3.5% of the purchase.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

But if Chinese consumers increasingly equate smart shopping with private label and domestically produced goods, the calculus changes.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

Thus we confront a characteristic bent of the ancient mind—that tendency to equate what appears to be with what ought to be, without being distracted along the way with what is.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro

Related Words

• associate
• liken
• relate