coequal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Legal
Quick answer
What does “coequal” mean?
equal in rank, status, or value.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
equal in rank, status, or value.
Having the same position, power, or importance as another person or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. More frequent in American political and legal discourse.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries formal, official, and often constitutional connotations.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation for both; slightly more common in American English due to its use in describing the three coequal branches of the U.S. government.
Grammar
How to Use “coequal” in a Sentence
[be] coequal [with/to N][as] coequal [N]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coequal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Rarely used as verb; 'equal' or 'match' preferred)
American English
- (Rarely used as verb; 'equal' or 'match' preferred)
adverb
British English
- (Very rare; 'equally' is standard)
American English
- (Very rare; 'equally' is standard)
adjective
British English
- The Supreme Court affirmed Parliament and the judiciary as coequal sovereigns.
American English
- The three coequal branches of government provide checks and balances.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe partners in a joint venture with equal control.
Academic
Used in political science, law, sociology to describe entities of equal standing.
Everyday
Extremely rare. 'Equal' is used instead.
Technical
Core term in constitutional law (e.g., 'coequal branches of government').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coequal”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coequal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coequal”
- Using it as a synonym for 'identical' or 'same'. Confusing with 'coequal' as a noun (very rare).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Coequal' is more specific, referring primarily to equality in rank, status, or position within a system, not general equivalence.
It is very rarely used as a noun (e.g., 'They are coequals'), but the adjectival use is overwhelmingly more common and recommended.
Primarily in formal texts about government, law, organizational structure, or philosophy where precise hierarchical relationships are discussed.
'Equivalent' suggests things are interchangeable in function or value. 'Coequal' stresses they hold the same level of authority or standing, often in a deliberate pairing or structure.
equal in rank, status, or value.
Coequal is usually formal, academic, legal in register.
Coequal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊˈiːkwəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊˈiːkwəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “coequal branches”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'co-' prefix meaning 'together' + 'equal' = 'equally together'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE (scales of justice), PARALLEL LINES (running side-by-side at the same level).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'coequal' most correctly?