Equal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun verb /ˈē-kwəl/

Meaning & Definition of Equal

Equal (adjective)

  1. of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another
  2. identical in mathematical value or logical denotation, equivalent
  3. like in quality, nature, or status

Equal (noun)

  1. one that is equal
  2. an equal quantity

Equal (verb)

  1. to be equal to; especially, to be identical in value to
  2. equalize
  3. to make or produce something equal to

Equal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias

    "the basic belief that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity in employment"

    similar: candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, indifferent, just, nonpartisan, objective, square, unbiased, unprejudiced
    related: frank, forthright, open, straight, straightforward, balanced, rational, reasonable
    opposite: biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust
    near: deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, arbitrary, unconscionable, unreasonable, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic, colored, distorted, warped

  2. resembling another in every respect

    "as far as I can see, except for the high price, the store-brand jacket is equal to the jacket with the designer label"

    similar: coequal, duplicate, even, identical, indistinguishable, same, much of a muchness
    related: akin, alike, analogous, comparable, coordinate, correspondent, corresponding, equivalent, like, look-alike, matching, parallel, similar, such, suchlike, synonymous, tantamount
    opposite: different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
    near: differentiable, discriminable, divers, miscellaneous, sundry, varied, various

  3. having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance

    "looking for someone equal to the challenge of running a large state university"

    similar: able, capable, competent, fit, good, qualified, suitable, on the ball
    related: accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced, proficient, seasoned, skilled, skillful, veteran, overqualified, prepared, schooled, trained, apt, ready, willing, all-around, protean, versatile
    opposite: incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified
    near: inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried

  4. free from emotional or mental agitation

    "he proceeded, in an equal tone, to recount the terrible events of the day"

    similar: calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, level, limpid, peaceful, placid, possessed, recollected, sedate, self-composed, self-possessed, serene, smooth, together, tranquil, undisturbed, unperturbed, unruffled, unshaken, untroubled, unworried, at peace
    related: even, even-keeled, steady, well-adjusted, well-balanced, imperturbable, nerveless, unflappable, unshakable, centered, disciplined, equable, self-contained, self-controlled, affable, breezy, devil-may-care, easygoing, happy-go-lucky, laid-back, loosey-goosey, mellow, carefree, nonchalant, unconcerned, assured, confident, self-assured, aloof, detached, dispassionate, indifferent, bovine, impassive, phlegmatic, sober, stolid, relaxed, relieved, tranquilized
    opposite: agitated, discomposed, disturbed, flustered, perturbed, unglued, unhinged, unstrung, upset
    near: anxious, bothered, distressed, uneasy, unquiet, unsettled, worried, jittery, jumpy, nervous, restless, skittish, tense, high-strung, unstable, uptight

Equal (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. one that is equal to another in status, achievement, or value

    "a basketball player who truly has no equal in his sport"

    similar: coequal, compeer, coordinate, counterpart, equivalent, fellow, like, match, parallel, peer, rival
    related: analogue, double, half, mate, twin, associate, colleague, companion, copartner, partner, competitor

Equal (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to produce something equal to (as in quality or value)

    "no one has equaled Shakespeare's plays"

    similar: match, meet, tie
    related: beat, better, eclipse, excel, outdistance, outdo, outshine, outstrip, overtop, surpass, top, transcend, amount (to), approach, touch, approximate, keep up, measure up (to), parallel, rival, stack up (against or with)

  2. to be the same in meaning or effect

    "being confined to home for a whole weekend would equal a death sentence in the minds of a lot of teens"

    similar: add up (to), amount (to), come (to), correspond (to), emulate
    related: approach, match, measure (up), meet, rival, touch, connote, denote, express, import, mean, signify, smack (of), spell, suggest

  3. to be the exact counterpart of

    "in the British system a public school equals an American prep school"

    similar: correspond (to), match, parallel
    related: blend (with), conform (to), coordinate (with), go (with), harmonize (with), complement, supplement, counterbalance, counterpoise, echo, image, mirror, repeat, add up (to), amount (to), approach, come (to), near, measure (up), partake (of), rival, suggest

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Equal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Equal:

candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, indifferent, just, nonpartisan, objective, square, unbiased, unprejudiced, coequal, duplicate, even, identical, indistinguishable, same, able, capable, competent, fit, good, qualified, suitable, calm, collected, composed, cool, coolheaded, level, limpid, peaceful, placid, possessed, recollected, sedate, self-composed

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Equal

Words with the opposite meaning of Equal:

biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust, different, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike, incompetent, inept, poor, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, agitated, discomposed

Related Words for Equal

frank, forthright, open, straight, straightforward, balanced, rational, reasonable, akin, alike, analogous, comparable, correspondent, corresponding, look-alike, matching, similar, such, suchlike, synonymous, tantamount, accomplished, ace, adept, experienced, expert, master, masterful, masterly, practiced

Near Antonyms of Equal

deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, arbitrary, unconscionable, unreasonable, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic, colored, distorted, warped, differentiable, discriminable, divers, miscellaneous, sundry, varied, various, inexperienced, inexpert, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful, unprepared, unschooled, untrained, beginning, green, new

Word Forms of Equal

Inflections: equaled, equalled, equaling, equalling

Origin & Etymology of Equal

Middle English, from Latin aequalis, from aequus level, equal

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Equal

Words & Phrases Containing Equal

equal-area, equal opportunity employer, equal protection, equal sign, equal opportunities employer, equal opportunities, equal opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions about Equal

What does "Equal" mean?

"Equal" means of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another. As an an adjective, a noun and a verb, it is defined as: of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another. It has 8 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Equal"?

Other words for "Equal" include candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial and indifferent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Equal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Equal"?

There are 207 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Equal". Common alternatives include candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, indifferent, just and nonpartisan.

What is the opposite of "Equal"?

Antonyms of "Equal" include biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris and partisan. Near antonyms include deceitful, deceptive, dishonest and arbitrary.

How do you use "Equal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Equal" in a sentence: "the basic belief that everyone is entitled to equal opportunity in employment"; "as far as I can see, except for the high price, the store-brand jacket is equal to the jacket with the designer label"; "looking for someone equal to the challenge of running a large state university".

Is "Equal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Equal" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Equal" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Equal" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Equal"?

"Equal" is pronounced /ˈē-kwəl/.