Dictionary › E › equal

equal

2 syllables · also equalled, equalling

Quick answer

As an adjective, equal means the same in all respects. As a verb, it means be equal to, to have the same value as.

Meanings of equal

15 meanings

The same in all respects.
“Equal conditions should produce equal results.”
“All men are created equal.”
mathematicsExactly identical, having the same value.
“All right angles are equal.”
Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.
“This test is pretty tough, but I think I'm equal to it.”
musicIntended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; not mixed.
Having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
“she had adequate training”
“her training was adequate”
“she was adequate to the job”
Similar: adequate

Older and rare meanings (2)

mathematicscopulativeTo be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.
“Two plus two equals four.”
To make equivalent to; to cause to match.
“David equaled the water levels of the bottles, so they now both contain exactly 1 liter.”
informalTo have as its consequence.
“Losing this deal equals losing your job.”
“Might does not equal right.”
Be equal to in quality or ability
“Nothing can rival cotton for durability”
“Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues”
“Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents”
Similar: touch, rival, match
Make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
“let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office”
“The company matched the discount policy of its competitors”
Similar: match, equalize, equalise, equate

A person or thing of equal status to others.
“We're all equals here.”
“This beer has no equal.”
A person who is of equal standing with another in a groupperson
Similar: peer, match, compeer

Older and rare meanings (1)