equalize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to make equal.
to equalize tax burdens.
-
to make uniform.
to equalize a rate of production.
verb
-
(tr) to make equal or uniform; regularize
-
(intr) (in sports) to reach the same score as one's opponent or opponents
Other Word Forms
- equalization noun
- nonequalization noun
- nonequalized adjective
- nonequalizing adjective
- unequalize verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of equalize
Explanation
To equalize is to make sure something is shared evenly or uniformly. You might try to equalize how much cake each party guest gets by slicing it into identical pieces. When you equalize, you're attempting to make things equal, a word with a Latin root that means "even, fair, or equitable." This can be done on a small scale, like when parents feel they have to buy an additional gift for one of their children in order to equalize everyone's Christmas presents. It's also done on a larger scale, with whole industries pushed to equalize pay for workers or cities to equalize educational opportunities for kids.
Vocabulary lists containing equalize
Scrabble: High Scoring Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
A Soccer and a Football Special
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
20 Common Words That Will Boost Your Scrabble Score
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To equalize your grandchildren’s inheritance later, you can adjust the distribution in your will or trust, reducing their shares by the amount you have already given each of them.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 31, 2025
“In order to equalize its share versus the USD, the gold price would need to rise to USD 5,790/oz assuming no change in the quantity of gold holdings,” Hsueh wrote.
From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025
At six months of age, the number of nanotubes in normal mice and those with Alzheimer's disease began to equalize.
From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2025
The first few years of elementary school, Pavri said, present a real opportunity to equalize learning for young children.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2024
Sensing the drop in pressure, it constantly flooded itself with air from my nitrogen tank to equalize.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
