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

Jackson later launched the National Rainbow Coalition, in 1984, with the goal of obtaining equal rights for all Americans, according to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. —Abby Phillip, CNN Money, 16 Nov. 2025

Chinese researchers have created stable high-entropy alloy nanoparticles—containing five metals in nearly equal ratios—directly in solution, thereby overcoming long-standing challenges in nanoscale alloy synthesis. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Nov. 2025

Noun

But as spouses and co-parents, both parties need to be treated as equals, Sethi said. —Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

In one sense, the 2025 World Series is not a battle of equals. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

But during Wednesday’s event, some residents didn’t agree with the idea that more lanes equals less traffic. —Charlotte Observer, 14 Nov. 2025

Del Toro presents Oscar Isaac’s Frankenstein and Elordi’s Creature less as equals terrorizing each other and more as an abusive father and neglected son, a dynamic that keeps the Creature in a sort of infantilized state. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

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