equal

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Contents

English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Latin aequālis.

Pronunciation [edit]

Adjective [edit]

equal (comparative more equal, superlative most equal)

  1. (not comparable) The same in all respects.
    Equal conditions should produce equal results.
  2. (mathematics, not comparable) Exactly identical, having the same value.
    All right angles are equal.
  3. (obsolete) Fair, impartial.
    • 1644, John Milton, Aeropagitica:
      it could not but much redound to the lustre of your milde and equall Government, when as private persons are hereby animated to thinke ye better pleas'd with publick advice, then other statists have been delighted heretofore with publicke flattery.
  4. (comparable) Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.
    This test is pretty tough, but I think I'm equal to it.
    • 1881, Jane Austen, Emma, p. 311
      her comprehension was certainly more equal to the covert meaning, the superior intelligence, of those five letters so arranged.

Usage notes [edit]

  • In mathematics, this adjective can be used in phrases like "A and B are equal", "A is equal to B", and, less commonly, "A is equal with B".

Synonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]

the same in all respects
mathematics: exactly identical

Verb [edit]

equal (third-person singular simple present equals, present participle equalling (UK) or equaling (US), simple past and past participle equalled (UK) or equaled (US))

  1. (mathematics) To be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.
    Two plus two equals four.
  2. To be equivalent to; to match
    • 2004, Mary Levy and Jim Kelly, Marv Levy: Where Else Would You Rather Be?
      There was an even more remarkable attendance figure that underscores the devotion exhibited by our fans, because it was in 1991 that they set a single season in-stadium attendance record that has never been equaled.
  3. (informal) To have as its consequence.
    Losing this deal equals losing your job.
    Might does not equal right.

Synonyms [edit]

Translations [edit]

be equal to
informal: have as its consequence

Noun [edit]

equal (plural equals)

  1. A person or thing of equal status to others.
    We're all equals here.
    This beer has no equal.
    • Addison
      Those who were once his equals envy and defame him.
  2. (obsolete) State of being equal; equality.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)

Synonyms [edit]

  • (person or thing of equal status to others): peer

Derived terms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

person or thing of equal status to others

Statistics [edit]

Anagrams [edit]

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