Definitions
01the same in amount or value
A2 · Elementary Mathematics
adj. being the same in size, number, value, or rank.
adj. identical in mathematical value, physical quantity, or social status.
日本語:等しい※
“The two teams were given an equal amount of time to finish the task.”
“The treaty ensures that both nations receive equal access to the shared waterway for commercial shipping.”
Synonyms
02capable or adequate
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. having the necessary strength, skill, or ability for a task.
adj. possessing the requisite qualities or resources to meet a specific challenge; usually follows 'to'.
“I hope I am equal to the challenge of starting this new job.”
“Despite her initial nerves, she proved more than equal to the task of managing the international merger.”
Usage
Usually used in the pattern 'equal to the task' or 'equal to the challenge'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to be the same as
A2 · Elementary Mathematics
v. to be the same in value or amount as something else.
v. to be identical in value or to result in a specific total.
日本語:匹敵する※
“Two plus two equals four.”
“The total cost of the repairs will likely equal the original purchase price of the vehicle.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04to result in
B1 · Intermediate Informal
v. to lead to a specific result or to mean the same thing.
v. to have as a logical consequence or to be equivalent in effect.
“In this office, working late usually equals a free lunch the next day.”
“For many investors, a sudden drop in interest rates equals an immediate opportunity to refinance their debt.”
05to do as well as
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to do something as well as someone else has done it before.
v. to match a previous achievement or performance in quality or degree.
“No one has been able to equal his record for the fastest marathon.”
“While many artists have tried to imitate her style, few have managed to equal the emotional depth of her early work.”
06a person of the same rank
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who has the same importance, rights, or status as you.
n. a person or thing that possesses the same status, age, or ability as another.
“She treats all her employees as equals and listens to their ideas.”
“In the realm of theoretical physics, he was widely regarded as the equal of the greatest minds of the century.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “equal” in context.
Verb
01. be equal
“The score was equal at the end of the first half.”
verb + adj
02. equal to
“One meter is roughly equal to three feet.”
adj + prep
03. remain equal
“Despite the changes, the pressure must remain equal in both chambers.”
verb + adj
04. treat as equal
“All citizens should be treated as equal under the law.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
05. broadly equal
“The candidates are broadly equal in terms of experience.”
adv + adj
06. roughly equal
“The two groups were roughly equal in size.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. equal opportunity
“The company is committed to providing equal opportunity for all applicants.”
adj + noun
08. equal rights
“The movement campaigned for equal rights for all workers.”
adj + noun
09. equal to the task
“She proved herself more than equal to the task of managing the project.”
10. of equal importance
“Both factors are of equal importance to the final decision.”
11. on an equal footing
“Small businesses need to compete on an equal footing with larger firms.”
Etymology
From Middle English equal, from Latin aequālis. Doublet of aequalis and egal.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
02. more equal
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/equal
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0