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equal

/ˈikwəl/

/ˈikwəl/

Other forms: equals; equalled; equaled; equalling; equaling

Things that are the same size or have the same traits are said to be equal. When it comes to people, being equal means everyone has the same rights and opportunities — and responsibilities.

When two or more things are level or balanced, they are said to be equal. This balance can refer to volume, weight, or quantity, or any other trait being compared. In a contest in which each side has the same chance of winning, the match is said to be equal. And when a person is considered at the same level with another in some respect, he or she is said to be that person's equal.

Definitions of equal
  1. adjective
    having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
    “on equal terms”
    “all men are equal before the law”
    Synonyms:
    commensurate
    corresponding in size or degree or extent
    comparable
    able to be compared or worthy of comparison
    equivalent, tantamount
    being essentially equal to something
    close, tight
    (of a contest or contestants) evenly matched
    coequal
    having the same standing before the law
    coordinate
    of equal importance, rank, or degree
    equidistant
    the same distance apart at every point
    equilateral
    having all sides or faces equal
    even, fifty-fifty
    equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced
    half-and-half
    in equal parts
    isochronal, isochronous
    equal in duration or interval
    isoclinal, isoclinic
    having equal magnetic inclinations
    isometric, isometrical
    having equal dimensions or measurements
    isothermal
    of a process or change taking place at constant temperature
    quits
    on equal terms by payment or requital
    even, level, tied
    of the score in a contest
    same
    closely similar or comparable in kind or quality or quantity or degree
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    unequal
    poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
    incommensurate
    not corresponding in size or degree or extent
    anisometric, unsymmetrical
    having unsymmetrical parts or unequal dimensions or measurements
    mismatched, uneven
    (of a contest or contestants) not fairly matched as opponents
    nonequivalent
    not equal or interchangeable in value, quantity, or significance
    odds-on
    having a better than even chance of success
    unbalanced
    debits and credits are not equal
    unequalised, unequalized
    not caused to be equal
    show more antonyms...
  2. noun
    a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
    synonyms: compeer, match, peer
    see moresee less
    types:
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    associate
    a person who joins with others in some activity or endeavor
    coeval, contemporary
    a person of nearly the same age as another
    gangsta
    (Black English) a member of a youth gang
    backup, backup man, fill-in, relief, reliever, stand-in, substitute
    someone who takes the place of another (as when things get dangerous or difficult)
    replacement, successor
    a person who follows next in order
    townsman
    a person from the same town as yourself
    adjunct
    a person who is an assistant or subordinate to another
    affiliate
    a subordinate or subsidiary associate; a person who is affiliated with another or with an organization
    ally, friend
    an associate who provides cooperation or assistance
    bedfellow
    a temporary associate
    collaborator, cooperator, pardner, partner
    an associate in an activity or endeavor or sphere of common interest
    colleague, confrere, fellow
    a person who is member of one's class or profession
    co-worker, colleague, fellow worker, workfellow
    an associate that one works with
    locum, locum tenens
    someone (physician or clergyman) who substitutes temporarily for another member of the same profession
    fellow member, member
    one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
    participant
    someone who takes part in an activity
    shipmate
    an associate on the same ship with you
    double, stunt man, stunt woman
    a stand-in for movie stars to perform dangerous stunts
    alternate, replacement, surrogate
    someone who takes the place of another person
    mate, teammate
    a fellow member of a team
    stakeholder
    a person who has an interest or share in something, especially a business
    comrade
    someone with whom one has endured a dangerous situation, especially a fellow soldier
    type of:
    individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul
    a human being
  3. verb
    be identical or equivalent to
    “One dollar equals 1,000 rubles these days!”
    synonyms: be
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    differ
    be different
    types:
    show 22 types...
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    correspond, equate
    be equivalent or parallel, in mathematics
    agree, check, correspond, fit, gibe, jibe, match, tally
    be compatible, similar, or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    correspond, represent, stand for
    take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
    translate
    be equivalent in effect
    consist
    be consistent in form, tenor, or character; be congruous
    look
    accord in appearance with
    answer
    match or correspond
    coincide
    be the same
    align
    be or come into adjustment with
    correlate
    bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
    parallel
    be parallel to
    duplicate, parallel, twin
    duplicate or match
    square
    be compatible with
    bear out, corroborate, support, underpin
    support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm
    resemble
    appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
    conform to, fit, meet
    satisfy a condition or restriction
    homologize
    be homologous
    befit, beseem, suit
    accord or comport with
    accord, agree, comport, concord, consort, fit in, harmonise, harmonize
    be harmonious or consistent with
    pattern
    form a pattern
    adhere, hew
    be compatible or in accordance with
    rhyme, rime
    be similar in sound, especially with respect to the last syllable
  4. verb
    be equal to in quality or ability
    synonyms: match, rival, touch
    equalise, equalize, equate, match
    make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
    see moresee less
    type of:
    compete, contend, vie
    compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
  5. verb
    make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
    synonyms: equalise, equalize, equate, match
    match, rival, touch
    be equal to in quality or ability
    see moresee less
    types:
    homologise, homologize
    make homologous
    homogenise, homogenize
    cause to become equal or homogeneous as by mixing
    draw, tie
    finish a game with an equal number of points, goals, etc.
    type of:
    alter, change, modify
    cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
  6. adjective
    having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    “he was equal to the task”
    synonyms: adequate
    adequate to, capable, equal to, up to
    having the requisite qualities for
    competent
    adequate for the purpose
    satisfactory
    giving satisfaction
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    inadequate, unequal
    lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    deficient, lacking, wanting
    inadequate in amount or degree
    incapable, incompetent, unequal to
    not meeting requirements
    short-handed, short-staffed, undermanned, understaffed
    inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.
    unsatisfactory
    not giving satisfaction
    show more antonyms...
Pronunciation
US

/ˈikwəl/

UK

/ˈikwəl/

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