equate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to regard, treat, or represent as equivalent.
We cannot equate the possession of wealth with goodness.
-
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.
-
to reduce to an average; make such correction or allowance in as will reduce to a common standard of comparison.
verb
-
to make or regard as equivalent or similar, esp in order to compare or balance
-
maths to indicate the equality of; form an equation from
-
(intr) to be equal; correspond
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing equate
Far from the Tree
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!
Carl Reiner (1922–2020) Tribute List
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!
"CLEP Financial Accounting," Vocabulary from Chapter 1
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.
Christou says customers "really enjoy getting great value", but that doesn't necessarily equate to the cheapest products.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
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
And those fees typically equate to 1.5% to 3.5% of the purchase.
From MarketWatch • 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
Equally typical is a tendency to equate the risk from some obscure and exotic malady with the chances of suffering from heart and circulatory disease, from which about 12,000 Americans die each week.
From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos
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.
