equal

1 of 3

adjective

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
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 menAnne 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
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
With a mix of innovation, compassion and respect for the law, Allen Superior Court is equal to the challenge. Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Oct. 2024 The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool. Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who also heads the Chinese Communist Party, is striving to make his country the equal of the United States in the global arena. Maura Elizabeth Cunningham, Foreign Affairs, 31 May 2018 Taken together, institutional openness and fairness signal that the existing order is able to accommodate a rising power’s status aspirations and treat it as an equal within the great-power club. Rohan Mukherjee, Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2023
Verb
Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024 Yet, data value equals data quality; bad data quality can result in bad decisions, inefficient operations and loss of competitive edge. Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for equal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of equal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near equal

Cite this Entry

“Equal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equal. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

equal

1 of 3 adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on equal

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