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

It argues the inclusion money will equate to a part-time teaching assistant for the average primary school, and two teaching assistants for the average secondary.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Research firm Trendforce has estimated that will equate to a more than 10% increase in Micron’s global capacity from about the second half of 2027.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

In 2008, crude oil hit a high of around $145 a barrel, which in today’s dollars would equate to about $215 a barrel.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

“I equate the cowboy with what the medieval knight is to Europe, what the samurai is to Japan,” Singleton said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026

Traditional histories like to equate Beethoven, the colossus of music in the early 1800s, with his contemporary Napoleon Bonaparte, revolutionary-turned-Emperor and serial military adventurer.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Related Words

• associate
• liken
• relate