equal
B1Formal & Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value; having the same rights or status.
An entity that is of the same measure, standing, or ability as another; a person or thing considered to be the same as another in status or quality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Equal" implies a precise, measurable equivalence. It is often used in contexts of rights, mathematics, and fair treatment. As a noun, it means a person or thing that matches another in quality, ability, or status.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Spelling and grammar are identical. Minor usage difference: "equal to" is slightly more formal in UK English.
Connotations
Strongly associated with social justice, fairness, and mathematical precision in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English in legal/political discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be equal to (something)be equal in (quality)equal something (verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All men are created equal.”
- “On equal terms.”
- “An equal and opposite reaction.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in discussions of pay equity, market share, and competitive analysis (e.g., 'The two offers were equal in value').
Academic
Common in mathematics, social sciences, and philosophy (e.g., 'The equation proves the two sides are equal').
Everyday
Used for comparisons of amounts, rights, or abilities (e.g., 'Cut the cake into equal pieces').
Technical
In computing and engineering, refers to precise equivalence in value or state (e.g., 'The variable x is equal to 5').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Two plus two equals four.
- His latest score equals the world record.
American English
- Five times ten equals fifty.
- Her determination equals that of any champion.
adverb
British English
- The teams performed equally well.
- She loved her children equally.
American English
- The money was split equally among the three.
- They were equally responsible for the mistake.
adjective
British English
- All members have equal voting rights.
- The portions were divided into equal amounts.
American English
- They are of equal height and build.
- We need equal representation on the committee.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- These two sticks are equal in length.
- All students are equal in this class.
- Men and women should have equal opportunities at work.
- Mix equal parts of flour and water.
- The new law aims to ensure equal treatment for all citizens.
- No other novelist of his time equals her subtlety of style.
- The prosecution's evidence was deemed equal in weight to the defense's.
- His contribution to the project equalled, if not surpassed, that of the team leader.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'EQU' in 'equal' as sounding like 'eek!' – the sound you make when you see the scales are perfectly balanced.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE IS EQUALITY; FAIRNESS IS EQUAL DISTRIBUTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "ровный" (smooth/even) for physical surfaces. "Equal" is about equivalence, not texture.
- Avoid overusing "одинаковый" (identical) for all contexts; "equal" often implies value/rights, not just sameness.
- As a verb, "to equal" means "to be the same as," not "to make equal." That is "to equalize."
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'They are equal than us.' Correct: 'They are equal to us.'
- Incorrect: 'She equals to her brother in talent.' Correct: 'She equals her brother in talent.' or 'She is equal to her brother in talent.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'equal' correctly as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's an oxymoron (contradiction in terms), famously used in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' ('All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others') for ironic effect.
The noun form is also 'equal' (e.g., 'She is his intellectual equal') or 'equality' (the state of being equal).
'Equal' implies identical in a measurable way (size, value, rights). 'Equivalent' suggests equal in function, effect, or meaning, but not necessarily identical in form (e.g., 'The British 'boot' is equivalent to the American 'trunk').'
No. The standard preposition after the adjective 'equal' is 'to' (equal to). Using 'as' (equal as) is incorrect.
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