equal

adjective \ ˈē-kwəl \

Updated on: 3 Dec 2017

Definition of equal

1 a (1) : of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another

(2) : identical in mathematical value or logical denotation : equivalent

b : like in quality, nature, or status

c : like for each member of a group, class, or society

provide equal employment opportunities

2 : regarding or affecting all objects in the same way : impartial

3 : free from extremes: such as

a : tranquil in mind or mood

b : not showing variation in appearance, structure, or proportion

4 a : capable of meeting the requirements of a situation or a task

b : suitable

bored with work not equal to his abilities

See equal defined for English-language learners

See equal defined for kids

Examples of equal in a Sentence

an equal number of apples and oranges
We divided the profits into three equal shares.
The play combines tragedy and comedy in equal measure.
The opposing candidate has demanded equal time on television.
The fractions {frac1 and {frac2 are equal.
providing equal opportunities for children of all races
We need to have equal academic standards for male and female students.

Recent Examples of equal from the Web

Top Image: Carlo Mondavi is equal parts entrepreneur, winemaker, and goodwill ambassador.

— Town & Country, "A Tribute to the Napa Valley," 26 Oct. 2017
Brazil’s budget gap was equal to about 9% of gross domestic product in August, up from 1.8% of GDP in 2011.

— jeffrey t. lewis, WSJ, "Brazil’s Central Bank Cuts Benchmark Rate to Near Its Lowest Level Ever," 25 Oct. 2017
Fortunate man Elisburg said his success has been equal parts hard work, intelligence and luck.

— walter villa, miamiherald, "How Andy Elisburg became Miami Heat's general manager | Miami Herald," 3 Nov. 2017
Noon to Midnight November 18 If last year was any indication, Disney Hall’s smorgasbord is going to be equal parts interesting and weird and great.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Here’s a List of the 13 Best Things to Do in L.A. in November," 1 Nov. 2017
Once a backward army that relied on manpower to address a shortage of technology, the PLA now plans to build a modern fighting force the equal of any other—including the United States.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "China's Leader Calls on His Military to Become the World's Best by 2050," 24 Oct. 2017
The Ox Ranch provides a glimpse into the future of the mythic Texas range — equal parts exotic game-hunting retreat, upscale outdoor adventure, and breeding and killing ground for exotic species.

— manny fernandez, New York Times, "Blood and Beauty on a Texas Exotic-Game Ranch," 19 Oct. 2017
Pawpaws can easily substitute a banana in equal part in most recipes.

— jasper j. mirabile jr., kansascity, "Pawpaws are a fruit native to Missouri that the Founding Fathers enjoyed," 19 Oct. 2017
Their music is equal parts the technical wizardry of fellow Jacksonville natives’ Allman Brothers, the bone-deep grooves of Muscle Shoals and the screaming-for-salvation anthems of Memphis soul.

— AL.com, "Things to do in Mobile, Oct. 1-7," 30 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'equal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of equal

Middle English, from Latin aequalis, from aequus level, equal

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

equal Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of equal

same, selfsame, very, identical, equivalent, equal mean not different or not differing from one another. same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.

- took the same route
- derived from the selfsame source

very, like selfsame, may imply identity, or, like same may imply likeness in kind.

- the very point I was trying to make

identical may imply selfsameness or suggest absolute agreement in all details.

- identical results

equivalent implies amounting to the same thing in worth or significance.

- two houses equivalent in market value

equal implies being identical in value, magnitude, or some specified quality.

- equal shares in the business

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

equal

noun

Definition of equal

1 : one that is equal

insists that women can be absolute equals with men
—Anne Bernays

2 : an equal quantity

See equal defined for English-language learners

Examples of equal in a Sentence

I consider him my equal.
We are all equals here.

Recent Examples of equal from the Web

To the men who do treat women as equals and behave toward them with respect and dignity: This is your moment!...

— los angeles times staff, latimes.com, "A Star Is Born: Usher turns 39 today," 14 Oct. 2017
Rockhill Grille’s bar staff decided to lean into the pumpkin-spice-equals fall trope, taking the perennial latte and transforming it into a delicious alcoholic treat.

— jared bajkowski, kansascity, "Pick your poison: KC has a fall cocktail for you | The Kansas City Star," 13 Oct. 2017
And, for those who aren't huge sports fans, football equals tailgate food like buffalo wings and all the dips.

— melissa minton, Bon Appetit, "Tim Hortons Now Serves a Buffalo Sauce–Flavored Latte. You Read That Right.," 12 Oct. 2017
Visual artist Boy Dominguez jammed on a few tunes with blues harp, and special guests Bullet Dumas, Dong Abay, Gloc-9, Severo, and original Bagong Lumad member Barrios were treated as equals during their respective spots.

— billboard philippines, Billboard, "Filipino Legend Joey Ayala is Entertainer and Educator in 'Mandiriwa' Concert," 29 Sep. 2017
Body Glide or baby powder or anti-chafing spray Lots of running equals lots of chaffing.

— Health.com, "How Much Does It Really Cost to Run a Marathon?," 8 Sep. 2017
Grace also thinks her lack of infatuation with babies helped her treat her kids as equals.

— suzannah weiss, Glamour, "No, Not Every Mother Has to Be a 'Baby Person'," 8 Sep. 2017
Mattis holds a position that is not even first among equals.

— isaac chotiner, Slate Magazine, "Unprecedented," 6 Oct. 2017
Their message is that patients with life-threatening diseases need to take charge of their treatment; not necessarily to oppose their doctors, but to participate as equals.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Faced with life-threatening diseases, patients take over," 1 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of equal

1573

equal Synonyms

Synonyms

coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, rival

Related Words

analogue (or analog); double, half, mate, twin; associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner; competitor

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

equal

verb

Definition of equal

equaled or equalled; equaling or equalling

transitive verb

1 : to be equal to; especially : to be identical in value to

2 archaic : equalize

3 : to make or produce something equal to

See equal defined for English-language learners

Examples of equal in a Sentence

Nothing can ever equal that experience.
See if you can equal that!
a weight lifter attempting to equal his rival's performance
No one can equal him in chess.

Recent Examples of equal from the Web

In many people's eyes, fat equals lazy/unhealthy/gross.

— lexie manion, Cosmopolitan, "When Fat-Shaming Bullies Terrorized This Body Positive Instagrammer, She Used A Genius Strategy to Cope," 26 Oct. 2017
Comfort always equals confidence and this season, there’s no better footwear than a warm and fuzzy slipper to wear while getting through that daunting to-do list.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "Would You Wear Slippers to Work?," 2 Nov. 2017
The Saints have won four in a row and the Bears two straight, equaling their win total from a year ago.

— SI.com, "Opening Betting Lines for NFL Week 8's Games," 24 Oct. 2017
Some writers about science use sentences like x equals nothing but y. Love is nothing more than the excitation of neurons in the brain, something like that.

— dan stewart, Time, "Philip Pullman on His New Trilogy, His Influences and the Upcoming His Dark Materials TV Show," 18 Oct. 2017
Only Oasis, Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys have equalled or bettered the Killers' sequence of U.K. album chart-toppers; Keane scored five, including one EP release.

— paul sexton, Billboard, "The Killers Hit Five U.K. No. 1s in a Row With 'Wonderful Wonderful'," 29 Sep. 2017
In Division V, Bethel-Tate has equaled last year's win total with a 33-28 win against Western Brown, while Mariemont (night) might be knocking on the door of the top eight after defeating Madeira.

— scott springer, Cincinnati.com, "Scott Springer chews on OHSAA computer rankings, Ragland and Benintendi ball," 23 Sep. 2017
Will the Spartans equal their win total from last season — in Week 3?

— jeff seidel, Detroit Free Press, "Crystal ball: MSU’s strength is Michigan’s weakness; both get wins," 21 Sep. 2017
The 32-year-old equaled Michael Schumacher's all-time F1 record of 68 poles during Saturday's qualifying before bossing the race to seal his fifth victory of the year.

— matthew knight, CNN, "F1: Hamilton and Vettel lock horns at Italy's 'Temple of Speed'," 1 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of equal

1590

equal Synonyms

Synonyms

match, meet, tie

Related Words

beat, better, eclipse, excel, outdistance, outdo, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend; amount (to), approach, touch; approximate, keep up, measure up (to), parallel, rival, stack up (against or with)

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

EQUAL Defined for English Language Learners

equal

adjective

Definition of equal for English Language Learners

: the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality
: having the same mathematical value
: not changing : the same for each person

equal

noun

Definition of equal for English Language Learners

: someone or something that is as good, skillful, valuable, etc., as another person or thing

equal

verb

Definition of equal for English Language Learners

—used to say that one amount or number is the same as another
: to be as good as (something else)
: to produce something that is as good as (something else) or to do something as well as (someone else)

EQUAL Defined for Kids

equal

adjective \ ˈē-kwəl \

Definition of equal for Students

1 : exactly the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality

an equal share

of equal importance

2 : the same for each person

equal rights

3 : having enough strength, ability, or means

He's equal to the task.

—

equally

\ˈē-kwə-lē\ adverb

We shared the profit equally.

equal

verb

Definition of equal for Students

equaled or equalled; equaling or equalling

: to be the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality as

equal

noun

Definition of equal for Students

: someone or something that is as good or valuable as another

Law Dictionary

equal

adjective

legal Definition of equal

1 : like in quality, nature, or status

2 : like for each member of a group, class, or society

3 : regarding or affecting all objects in the same way : impartial

Origin and Etymology of equal

Latin aequalis, from aequus level, equal

equal

noun

legal Definition of equal

: one that is equal

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equal

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