equivalent

American  

[ih-kwiv-uh-luhnt, ee-kwuh-vey-luhnt] / ɪˈkwɪv ə lənt, ˌi kwəˈveɪ lənt /

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.

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noun

1. something that is equivalent.

equivalent British  

/ 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

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noun

1. something that is equivalent

2. short for equivalent weight

equivalent Scientific  

/ 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.

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Synonym Usage

See equal.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• equivalently
  adverb
• unequivalent
  adjective
• unequivalently
  adverb
• nonequivalent
  adjective
• quasi-equivalent
  adjective
• superequivalent
  adjective
• quasi-equivalently
  adverb
• nonequivalently
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of equivalent

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

Explanation

If two things are basically the same, you can say that they're the equivalent of each other. Like, studying advanced physics is the equivalent of banging your head against the wall. Equivalent's Latin roots are "equal" and "value," which suggests that the word originally was used to describe things that had the same value. Now it can be used to describe things that have the same effect, or importance, or role — for example, "England's Parliament is the equivalent of America's Congress." It can also be used as an adjective: "Eating a bowl of Sugar Pops for breakfast is equivalent to starting your day with two scoops of ice-cream."

Example Sentences

The entire Taylor Morrison purchase price is equivalent to about one quarter of Berkshire’s earnings after taxes.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

But regardless of who’s on the mic, every Wu-Tang joint is designed to be the sonic equivalent of a film.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

The final purchasing managers’ report on manufacturing activity in May will be released on Monday, followed by the equivalent services survey on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

The $100,000 bribe prosecutors say he agreed to is the equivalent of $384 for someone making $100,000 a year.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

That’s roughly equivalent to today’s total population of New England, New York, and New Jersey all put together.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

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