equivalent

[ ih-kwiv-uh-luhnt ee-kwuh-vey-luhnt ]

adjective

1. equal in value, measure, force, effect, significance, etc.:

   His silence is equivalent to an admission of guilt.

2. corresponding in position, function, etc.:

   In some ways their prime minister is equivalent to our president.

3. Geometry. having the same extent, as a triangle and a square of equal area.
4. Mathematics. (of two sets) able to be placed in one-to-one correspondence.
5. Chemistry. having the same capacity to combine or react chemically.

noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent

/ ɪˈkwɪvələnt /

adjective

1. equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, significance, etc
2. having the same or a similar effect or meaning
3. maths
   1. having a particular property in common; equal
   2. (of two equations or inequalities) having the same set of solutions
   3. (of two sets) having the same cardinal number
4. maths logic (of two propositions) having an equivalence between them

noun

1. something that is equivalent
2. See equivalent weight
   short for equivalent weight

equivalent

/ ĭ-kwĭv′ə-lənt /

1. Equal, as in value, meaning, or force.
2. 1. Of or relating to a relation between two elements that is reflexive, symmetric, and transitive.
   2. Having a one-to-one correspondence, as between parts. Two triangles having the same area are equivalent, as are two congruent geometric figures.

Derived Forms

• eˈquivalently, adverb

Other Words From

• e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• none·quiva·lent adjective noun
• none·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• quasi-e·quiva·lent adjective
• quasi-e·quiva·lent·ly adverb
• super·e·quiva·lent adjective noun
• une·quiva·lent adjective
• une·quiva·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Late Latin aequivalent- (stem of aequivalēns ), present participle of aequivalēre. See equi-, -valent

Word History and Origins

Origin of equivalent¹

C15: from Late Latin aequivalēns, from aequivalēre to be equally significant, from Latin aequi- equi- + valēre to be worth

Synonym Study

See equal.

Example Sentences

What was once seen as the neurological equivalent of annoying television static may have profound implications for how scientists study the brain.

From Quanta Magazine

The hours he worked add up to the equivalent of more than six 40-hour workweeks.

From ProPublica

Amtrak is giving a bonus, the equivalent of two hours of pay, to those who get vaccinated, the company said.

From Washington Post

Just 24 hours after Moore started walking, he had raised the equivalent of $8,750.

From Washington Post

It’s still 85% effective in preventing severe symptoms, meaning people who get the J&J shot and later contract the virus could suffer the equivalent of a bad cold, rather than maybe needing to go to the hospital, or worse.

From Time

It's cheesy and ludicrous and, therefore, delightful; it's the reading equivalent of hate-watching.

From The Daily Beast

Desert Golfing is the gaming equivalent of putting TV on in the background.

From The Daily Beast

Right now it looks like the diplomatic equivalent of one hand clapping.

From The Daily Beast

It was the equivalent of becoming a black Klansman or Jewish Nazi.

From The Daily Beast

The two scientific stories resort to the equivalent of Mathematics for Dummies andPhysics for Dummies.

From The Daily Beast

Its use by so distinguished a person as Raleigh was equivalent to its general introduction.

From Project Gutenberg

But in such expressions as "I am rather tired," equivalent to "I am a little tired," the explanation is not so obvious.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore, a very pale yellow may be its usual test for efficiency, and the equivalent will be maintained.

From Project Gutenberg

Pigeons' dung, according to Boussingault, contains 8·3 per cent of nitrogen, equivalent to 10·0 of ammonia.

From Project Gutenberg

And a promise equivalent to this he made when he engaged to establish his called and chosen, as a holy people to himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• commensurate
• comparable
• corresponding
• equal
• identical
• proportionate
• tantamount