equal

1 of 3

adjective

ˈē-kwəl 

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

She is equal to the task.

b

: suitable

bored with work not equal to his abilities

equal

2 of 3

noun

1

: one that is equal

… insists that women can be absolute equals with men …

—Anne Bernays

2

: an equal quantity

equal

3 of 3

verb

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

Synonyms of equal

Adjective

• equitable
• impartial

Noun

• equivalent
• counterpart

Verb

• match
• meet
• surpass

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

At this gleefully un-sleek restaurant styled as a Korean blue-collar cabby spot, the menu has almost no choices and not all the banchan are created equal. —Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026

The results reveal jets carrying energy equal to around 10,000 suns while moving at nearly half the speed of light, offering one of the clearest views yet of how black holes pump energy back into the universe. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026

Noun

Pernod’s offer, while billed as a merger of equals, gave rise to thorny issues that the two sides couldn’t square. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 7 May 2026

Lesch plays the savior’s anguished betrayer not as an intellectual equal who fiercely debates him and loses all patience with the movement. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Verb

Your spider plant can also thrive in full shade, but less light will equal slower growth. —Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 8 May 2026

Exotic offers are as little as a 36-month divide ($500,000 divided by 36 equals $13,889 of additional monthly income). —Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing equal

• all/other things being equal
• equal-area
• equal opportunities
• equal opportunities employer
• equal opportunity
• equal opportunity employer
• equal protection
• equal sign
• on an equal footing
• on equal terms
• without equal

Rhymes for equal

• sequel
• coequal
• subequal
• unequal

Kids Definition

equal

1 of 3 adjective

ˈē-kwəl 

1

a

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

an equal number of apples and oranges

officers of equal rank

of equal importance

b

: identical in mathematical value : equivalent

2

: not varying from one person or part to another

equal job opportunities

equal pressure throughout the system

3

: impartial

equal laws

4

: capable of meeting requirements : sufficient

equal to the task

equally adverb

equal

2 of 3 noun

1

: one that is equal

has no equal at chess

2

: an equal quantity

equal

3 of 3 verb

equaled or equalled; equaling or equalling

1

: to be equal to

2

: to produce something equal to : match

see if you can equal that!

Legal Definition

equal

1 of 2 adjective

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

equal

2 of 2 noun

: one that is equal

Etymology

Adjective

Latin aequalis, from aequus level, equal