equal
as great as; the same as (often followed by to or with): The velocity of sound is not equal to that of light.
like or alike in quantity, degree, value, etc.; of the same rank, ability, merit, etc.:two students of equal brilliance.
evenly proportioned or balanced: an equal contest.
uniform in operation or effect: equal laws.
adequate or sufficient in quantity or degree: The supply is equal to the demand.
having adequate ability, means, or other characteristics: He was equal to the task.Their English boots were not equal to the rigors of a Canadian winter.
tranquil or undisturbed: to confront death with an equal mind.
impartial or equitable.
Archaic. having an even surface; level: the treeless, equal plains.
a person or thing that is equal to another, as in quantity, degree, value, rank, or ability.
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.
to make or do something equal to: No matter how he tries, he can't equal his brother's achievements.
Archaic. to make equal; equalize.
Obsolete. to recompense fully.
Origin of equal
1synonym study For equal
usage note For equal
Other words for equal
2 | proportionate, commensurate, coordinate, correspondent |
4 | even, uniform, regular, invariant, unvarying |
6 | suited, fitted |
10 | coequal, peer, compeer, match, equivalent, fellow |
Opposites for equal
Other words from equal
- 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
Words Nearby equal
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use equal in a sentence
The small realtor in Billings, MT, paying Google pennies is part of the advertising ecosystem, and has equal data access rights as the billion dollar travel entity.
This decade’s most important marketing question: What data rights do advertisers possess? | Kirk Williams | September 17, 2020 | Search Engine LandUnder WTO regulations, members must treat each other as equals.
Trump’s prolonged assault on WTO means its ruling against Chinese tariffs is essentially moot | eamonbarrett | September 16, 2020 | FortuneThe virtual nature of Disrupt 2020 equals a global scope — and our biggest Disrupt ever.
Using all the players that show up, they want to create exactly two teams of equal size.
You cannot fully believe both that all the races are equal and that your favorite race is superior.
Believing in Monsters: David Livingstone Smith on the Subhuman - Facts So Romantic | Eric Schwitzgebel | September 11, 2020 | Nautilus
Taraji manages to bring an equal measure of truth to the mother in her character.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist | Judnick Mayard | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBoth parties are now equal opportunity offenders when it comes to gaming the system.
Although Southern did not automatically equal neo-Confederate, at times the distinction could easily get lost.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern | Lloyd Green | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHowever, not all awful, astoundingly dumb political memes are created equal.
Political Memes That Absolutely Must Die in 2015 | Asawin Suebsaeng | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTBut it never has been the site of equal mercy, and it never will be.
Other things being equal, the volume of voice used measures the value that the mind puts upon the thought.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickThis city stands upon almost two equal parts on each side the river that passes through.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftOther factors being equal, the amount of urea indicates the activity of metabolism.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddHe considered her the equal to any Newbolt that ever straddled a horse and rode over from Kentucky.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenFor comparison, the gas may be passed through a test-tube containing an equal amount of distilled water.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell Todd
British Dictionary definitions for equal
/ (ˈiːkwəl) /
(often foll by to or with) identical in size, quantity, degree, intensity, etc; the same (as)
having identical privileges, rights, status, etc: all men are equal before the law
having uniform effect or application: equal opportunities
evenly balanced or proportioned: the game was equal between the teams
(usually foll by to) having the necessary or adequate strength, ability, means, etc (for): to be equal to one's work
another word for equivalent (def. 3a)
a person or thing equal to another, esp in merit, ability, etc: he has no equal when it comes to boxing
(tr) to be equal to; correspond to; match: my offer equals his
(intr usually foll by out) to become equal or level
(tr) to make, perform, or do something equal to: to equal the world record
(tr) archaic to make equal
Origin of equal
1usage For equal
Derived forms of equal
- equally, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with equal
In addition to the idioms beginning with equal
- equal to
also see:
- other things being equal
- separate but equal
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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