Word
equip
US/ɪˈkwɪp/
UK/ɪkwˈɪp/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
equip
Past
equipped
Past participle
equipped
Definitions
01to provide tools
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to give someone the tools or equipment they need for a job or activity.
v. to supply with the necessary items or implements for a particular purpose. Transitive; typically takes a direct object and often follows the pattern 'equip someone with something'.
“The school will equip every student with a new laptop for the semester.”
“The expedition leaders took great care to equip the team with specialized gear designed to withstand the extreme temperatures of the high altitude.”
02to prepare with skills
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to give someone the knowledge or skills they need to succeed.
v. to prepare someone mentally or intellectually for a task or situation. Often used in educational or professional development contexts.
“This course aims to equip you with the skills needed for a career in marketing.”
“The university curriculum is designed to equip graduates with the critical thinking abilities necessary to navigate a rapidly changing job market.”
03gaming gear
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Slang · Informal
n. the items or weapons a character carries in a video game.
n. a shortened, uncountable form of 'equipment' used specifically within gaming communities to refer to a character's inventory or gear.
“I need to find better equip before I try to fight the final boss.”
“The player spent hours grinding for legendary equip to ensure their character could survive the high-level raid.”
Usage
Used as an uncountable noun in gaming jargon; standard English requires 'equipment'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “equip” in context.
Verb
01. equip students to succeed
“The vocational course aims to equip students to succeed in the competitive tech industry.”
verb + noun + infinitive
02. equip the kitchen with appliances
“The landlord promised to equip the kitchen with modern appliances before we moved in.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
03. fully equip the laboratory
“The university spent millions to fully equip the laboratory for advanced research.”
adv + verb
Preposition
04. equip for the journey
“They spent the entire morning helping us equip for the journey across the desert.”
verb + prep + noun
Adverb
05. adequately equip the hikers
“The guide made sure to adequately equip the hikers with maps and emergency supplies.”
adv + verb
06. better equip the team
“New training modules will better equip the team for the upcoming project challenges.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“And, ICE plans to equip its officers with electric shock gloves.” Etymology
From French équiper (“to supply, fit out”), originally said of a ship, Old French esquiper (“to embark”); of Germanic origin, most probably from Old Norse skipa (“to man (a ship)”), from Proto-Germanic *skipōną (“to ship, sail, embark”). Compare with Middle High German schipfen, German schiffern, Icelandic skipa, Old English scipian. Doublet of ship.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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