equalize
B2Neutral, used in formal, academic, business, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To make two or more things equal in amount, size, status, or level.
To balance, level, or match; to make uniform; to compensate for a disadvantage; (in sports) to score a goal or point that ties the game.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word strongly implies an active process of adjustment or compensation to achieve a state of equality or balance. In British English, the predominant sports meaning is 'to tie a game'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports, BrE heavily uses 'equalize' (e.g., football/soccer), while AmE often uses 'tie (the game)' or 'even the score'.
Connotations
In BrE, 'equalize' has a strong positive, dramatic sporting connotation (coming from behind). In AmE, it's more neutral, often associated with technical or social adjustment.
Frequency
More frequent in BrE due to its common sporting usage. In AmE, 'equalize' is slightly more formal for non-sporting contexts compared to 'make equal' or 'balance'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
equalize somethingequalize something between/among groupsequalize something with something elseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “level the playing field”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To ensure benefits are equalized across all departments.
Academic
The policy aimed to equalize educational outcomes across socioeconomic groups.
Everyday
Can you equalize the volume between the left and right speakers?
Technical
The system uses a valve to equalize pressure in the chambers.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Kane equalized in the 89th minute, saving his team from defeat.
- The government introduced a tax to equalize wealth distribution.
American English
- The new law aims to equalize funding for all public schools.
- The pilot will equalize the cabin pressure.
adverb
British English
- The resources were distributed equally, not equally.
- N/A for standard usage.
American English
- N/A for standard usage.
- N/A for standard usage.
adjective
British English
- The equalizing goal came from a corner kick.
- An equalizing payment was made to the disadvantaged regions.
American English
- The equalizing effect of the policy was clear.
- They installed an equalizing valve in the pipeline.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher asked us to equalize the number of sweets for each child.
- The government wants to equalize opportunities for students in cities and villages.
- The striker equalized with a powerful header, making the score 1-1.
- Critics argue that the proposed reforms would not genuinely equalize access to healthcare but merely redistribute existing inequalities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a set of SCALES (scales of justice). To EQUAL-IZE is to make the two sides of the scale exactly EQUAL.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE / LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. Achieving equality is visualized as creating a flat, balanced surface or equal weight on a scale.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'выровнять' in all contexts—'equalize' implies making equal, not just smoothing a surface.
- Do not confuse with 'compare' (сравнивать). 'Equalize' is about making things the same, not just looking at similarities.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'equalize' for 'compare' (e.g., 'Let me equalize the two options' is wrong).
- Using 'equalize' intransitively without an object (e.g., 'The teams equalized' is BrE sports-specific; in general use, it needs an object).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'equalize' MOST typical in British English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Equalize' is the standard spelling in American English. 'Equalise' is the standard spelling in British English.
Typically, no, except in the specific context of sports in British English (e.g., 'The team equalized in the second half'). In most other contexts, it is a transitive verb requiring an object (e.g., 'equalize the pressure').
They are close synonyms. 'Equalize' strongly emphasizes making things exactly equal in quantity or status. 'Balance' can imply a harmonious or stable relationship between potentially different elements, not necessarily identical ones.
It is neutral but can sound slightly formal or technical in everyday American English. In British English, its sporting use makes it very common and informal in that specific context.