# equal

/ˈikwəɫ/ (US) · /ˈiːkwəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/equal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the same in amount or value

adjective · CEFR A2

being the same in size, number, value, or rank.

For teachers: identical in mathematical value, physical quantity, or social status.

- 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.

### 2. capable or adequate

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

having the necessary strength, skill, or ability for a task.

For teachers: 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'.

### 3. to be the same as

verb · CEFR A2

to be the same in value or amount as something else.

For teachers: to be identical in value or to result in a specific total.

- Two plus two equals four.
- The total cost of the repairs will likely equal the original purchase price of the vehicle.

### 4. to result in

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

to lead to a specific result or to mean the same thing.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to do as well as

verb · CEFR B2

to do something as well as someone else has done it before.

For teachers: 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.

### 6. a person of the same rank

noun · CEFR B1

a person who has the same importance, rights, or status as you.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is my equal in every way.
- In the debate, he finally met his equal, as his opponent was just as skilled at public speaking.
- The treaty was designed to ensure that both nations entered the agreement as equals, with neither side holding more political power than the other.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.