equip

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈkwip 

equipped; equipping

transitive verb

1

: to furnish for service or action by appropriate provisioning

equip an army

2

: dress, array

3

: to make ready : prepare

wasn't equipped to handle the pressures of the job

equip

2 of 2

abbreviation

equipment

Synonyms

Verb

• prepare
• qualify

Choose the Right Synonym for equip

furnish, equip, outfit, appoint, accoutre mean to supply one with what is needed.

furnish implies the provision of any or all essentials for performing a function.

a sparsely furnished apartment

equip suggests the provision of something making for efficiency in action or use.

a fully equipped kitchen

outfit implies provision of a complete list or set of articles as for a journey, an expedition, or a special occupation.

outfitted the family for a ski trip

appoint implies provision of complete and usually elegant or elaborate equipment or furnishings.

a lavishly appointed apartment

accoutre suggests the supplying of personal dress or equipment for a special activity.

fully accoutred members of a polar expedition

Examples of equip in a Sentence

Verb

More money was needed to train and equip the troops.

Equipped with a hoe and a shovel, I headed for the garden.

Her training has equipped her to deal with emergencies.

She is well-equipped to deal with emergencies.

Those students are not equipped for the challenges of college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In other words, he was thrust into a challenging role that he was no longer equipped to handle. —Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 July 2025

In this way, musicians are uniquely equipped for reinvention. —Victoria Chynoweth, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025

Businesses that move beyond the checklist approach and design for resilience, ethics and transparency will be best equipped to lead. —Metin Kortak, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

The image also shows multiple swimming pools and tennis courts on the island, which is also equipped with a helipad and several guest villas. —Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

modification of Anglo-French eskiper, eschiper to load on board a ship, embark, outfit, man, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English scipian equip a ship, scip ship

First Known Use

Verb

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing equip

• re-equip

Rhymes for equip

• airship
• airstrip
• clerkship
• courtship
• filmstrip
• flagship
• gunship
• headship
• heirship
• judgeship
• kinship
• lightship

Kids Definition

equip

verb

i-ˈkwip

equipped; equipping

1

: to provide with the necessary materials or supplies for service or action

2

: to make ready : prepare