equal

adjective

\ ˈē-kwəl

Definition of equal

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a(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

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

b : suitable bored with work not equal to his abilities

equal

noun

Definition of equal (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : one that is equal insists that women can be absolute equals with men— Anne Bernays

2 : an equal quantity

equal

verb

equaled or equalled; equaling or equalling

Definition of equal (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from equal Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about equal

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for equal

Adjective

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

Examples of equal in a Sentence

Adjective

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 1/2 and 2/4 are equal. providing equal opportunities for children of all races We need to have equal academic standards for male and female students.

Noun

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

Verb

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 on the Web: Adjective

Executives explained that unique perk to Devlin when wooing him, and as Toronto vanquished its Eastern foes, Devlin passed it on to his Philadelphia and Milwaukee peers, who had to be equal parts surprised and jealous. — Jacob Feldman, SI.com, "During Toronto's Run, Raptors' Voice Matt Devlin Has Represented an Entire Country," 6 June 2019 Not all itineraries are created equal, so choose your train trip wisely. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Amtrak's Latest Deal Makes Long-Haul Train Travel Bearable," 4 June 2019 In addition, arrange to take part in a Polynesian Dinner and Show, which is equal parts culinary and educational experience. — Brandi Neal, Orange County Register, "Conrad Bora Bora Nui is a breathtaking, bucket-list escape from reality," 4 June 2019 Cotton over polyester Not all summer dresses are created equal. — Elizabeth Denton, Seventeen, "12 Curvy Girl Fashion Hacks to Get You Through Summer," 23 May 2019 However, not all mineral formulas are created equal. — Allure, "The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin and the Ocean This Summer," 16 Apr. 2019 And while tossing cleansing cloths in your carry on makes sense, not all are created equal. — Nicole Catanese, Marie Claire, "How to Cure Dry, Dehydrated Airplane Skin, According to the Pros," 26 Feb. 2019 Another point worth considering is that not all charities are created equal. — Kelsey Piper, Vox, "One of the most frequently used criteria for judging a charity is also one of the worst," 27 Nov. 2018 Not all microbiomes are created equal All 21 men showed traces of bacteria known to cause gum disease and tooth decay. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Medieval dental plaque sheds light on how our microbiomes have changed," 25 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Ukraine's president has launched a campaign to persuade Bartholomew, seen by many as the first among equals of Orthodox leaders, to accept Ukraine's request. — Ayse Wieting, Fox News, "Cleric: 'No going back' on Ukraine split from Russia Church," 31 Aug. 2018 In South Korea, those born in the same year often treat each other as equals, while people must use honorific titles to address those born earlier, rather than directly using their names. — Hyung-jin Kim, The Seattle Times, "S. Korean babies born Dec. 31 become 2-year-olds next day," 13 Apr. 2019 According to the show, these two weren't creative equals but rather Gwen was the backbone to Bob's genius. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Fosse/Verdon Proves It's Time to Cancel the Fragile Male Ego," 10 Apr. 2019 Conway’s formula: 16 Lumens equals 1 incandescent watt. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, WSJ, "Goodbye, Showy Chandeliers. Hello, Low-Key Lighting That Transforms Rooms," 25 Jan. 2019 And yet there was a significant cohort of women painters who came into their own at the same time and were by and large accepted as equals in the scruffy downtown milieu that nurtured them all. — Ann Landi, WSJ, "‘Ninth Street Women’ Review: Expressing Themselves," 20 Sep. 2018 This approach contradicts the Abrahamic faiths’ traditional rejection of other religions as equals. — Gordon Mehler, WSJ, "Common Ground for a Wiccan and a Rabbi?," 1 Nov. 2018 To the naked eye, the musicians were a jovial fraternity of equals, free from the trappings of segregation or status. — Marc Myers, WSJ, "A Great Day in Harlem, Revisited," 2 Nov. 2018 Pioneer Works is perhaps the first institution in New York to include Schindler as a peer among famous equals. — Joseph Giovannini, New York Times, "In Three Famous Houses, Modern Living Unwinds," 28 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

That’s a heck of a long ways, with just one light-year equaling nearly 6 trillion miles! — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: Let the Big Dipper be your guide for more stargazing," 9 June 2019 The right-hander threw 106 pitches (also equaling a season high) on the way to striking out seven with four walks. — Craig Davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mets cash in repeatedly with two-out runs to sink Straily, Marlins," 1 July 2018 At the band’s heart during their mid-‘60s creative peak was a 20-something kid from Hawthorne, California named Brian Wilson, whose astonishing popular success as a songwriter is equaled by his innovation. — Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE.com, "The Beach Boys in Their Own Words: America's Band Tells the Tales Behind Their Pop Masterpieces," 8 June 2018 Bridge Lane Wine also offers its vintages in more traditional forms like a bottle for $20, a box of wine for about $38 and a four-pack of cans, with each can equal to about a half a bottle, for around $34. — Natalie Dreier, ajc, "Wine kegs are real; find out where they’re sold," 18 May 2018 In January, 33 residents attempted suicide, the highest number of any area in Tunisia and nearly equaling the 39 suicide attempts in the rest of the country collectively, according to the independent Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights. — Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "Tunisia's democracy: Freedom is disappointingly messy, but there's hope," 17 Apr. 2018 Joe Ingles had 18 points and 10 assists, equaling his career high. — star-telegram, "Rookie Mitchell's 26 points carries red-hot Jazz over Mavericks | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 22 Mar. 2018 Under rules taking effect next year, companies making or importing at least 30,000 traditional vehicles annually must achieve an NEV credit score equaling about 10 percent of the score assigned to their total output or import volume. — Bloomberg.com, "Shakeup Looms for China's Electric-Vehicle Makers," 19 Mar. 2018 Eventually, a new balance is achieved, with outgoing energy equaling the incoming sunlight again, but only after the temperature of the surface and atmosphere have risen. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Ars answers a federal judge’s questions about climate change," 19 Mar. 2018

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.