equal

[ee-kwuh l] /ˈi kwəl/
adjective
1.
as great as; the same as (often followed by to or with):
The velocity of sound is not equal to that of light.
2.
like or alike in quantity, degree, value, etc.; of the same rank, ability, merit, etc.:
two students of equal brilliance.
3.
evenly proportioned or balanced:
an equal contest.
4.
uniform in operation or effect:
equal laws.
5.
adequate or sufficient in quantity or degree:
The supply is equal to the demand.
6.
having adequate powers, ability, or means:
He was equal to the task.
7.
level, as a plain.
8.
tranquil or undisturbed:
to confront death with an equal mind.
9.
impartial or equitable.
noun
10.
a person or thing that is equal.
verb (used with object), equaled, equaling or (especially British) equalled, equalling.
11.
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.
12.
to make or do something equal to:
No matter how he tries, he can't equal his brother's achievements.
13.
Archaic. to make equal; equalize.
14.
Obsolete. to recompense fully.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin aequālis equal, like, equivalent to aequ(us) even, plain, just + -ālis -al1
Related forms
nonequal, adjective, noun
quasi-equal, adjective
quasi-equally, adverb
subequal, adjective
subequally, adverb
Synonyms
2. proportionate, commensurate, coordinate, correspondent. Equal, equivalent, tantamount imply a correspondence between two or more things. Equal indicates a correspondence in all respects or in a particular respect: A dime is equal to 10 cents (that is, in purchasing power). Equivalent indicates a correspondence in one or more respects, but not in all: An egg is said to be the equivalent of a pound of meat in nutritive value. Tantamount, a word of limited application, is used of immaterial things that are equivalent: The prisoner's refusal to answer was tantamount to an admission of guilt. 4. even, uniform, regular, unvarying, invariant. 6. suited, fitted. 10. peer, compeer, match, mate, fellow.
Antonyms
2. different. 6. inadequate.
Usage note
1–9. See unique.
Examples from the web for equal
  • One is that things are not, in fact, fair and equal.
  • If you expect equal pay for equal work, you're not the only species to have a sense of fair play.
  • Yet scholars worry that some students may forget that fluency does not equal understanding.
  • The vernal equinox-one of two times each year when night and day are officially of equal length-is upon us.
  • As with everything there is an equal and opposite reaction.
  • Regarding teachers' use of sarcasm, it is not professional because sarcasm is appropriate only among persons of equal status.
  • We have to use two when baking to equal one regular one.
  • In other words, all changes in risk are not created equal.
  • In reality it is the elevation of a select few with the equal poverty of all the rest.
  • Plastic is a big part of food storage and packaging, but not all plastics are created equal.
British Dictionary definitions for equal

equal

/ˈiːkwəl/
adjective
1.
often foll by to or with. identical in size, quantity, degree, intensity, etc; the same (as)
2.
having identical privileges, rights, status, etc: all men are equal before the law
3.
having uniform effect or application: equal opportunities
4.
evenly balanced or proportioned: the game was equal between the teams
5.
(usually foll by to) having the necessary or adequate strength, ability, means, etc (for): to be equal to one's work
6.
another word for equivalent (sense 3a)
noun
7.
a person or thing equal to another, esp in merit, ability, etc: he has no equal when it comes to boxing
verb equals, equalling, equalled (US) equals, equaling, equaled
8.
(transitive) to be equal to; correspond to; match: my offer equals his
9.
(intransitive) usually foll by out. to become equal or level
10.
(transitive) to make, perform, or do something equal to: to equal the world record
11.
(transitive) (archaic) to make equal
Derived Forms
equally, adverb
Usage note
The use of more equal as in from now on their relationship will be a more equal one is acceptable in modern English usage. Equally is preferred to equally as in sentences such as reassuring the victims is equally important. Just as is preferred to equally as in sentences such as their surprise was just as great as his
Word Origin
C14: from Latin aequālis, from aequus level, of obscure origin
Word Origin and History for equal
adj.

late 14c., from Latin aequalis "uniform, identical, equal," from aequus "level, even, just," of unknown origin. Parallel formation egal (from Old French egal) was in use late 14c.-17c. The noun is recorded from 1570s.

v.

1580s, "compare, liken," also "match, rival," from equal (adj.). Related: Equaled; equaling.

Idioms and Phrases with equal

equal

In addition to the idioms beginning with equal
equal to
also see: