equivalent
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
Equal in value, amount, function, meaning, or effect.
Something that is effectively the same as another thing, serving as a counterpart, substitute, or parallel, without necessarily being identical in form.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While it denotes equality in value or significance, it often implies a relationship between two different entities, not a single entity being equal to itself. For example, a chemical equivalent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The noun use is slightly more formal in all registers.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in academic, technical, and business contexts in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
BE equivalent to NOUNHAVE an equivalent in NOUNCONSIDER something (to be) equivalentFIND an equivalent for SOMETHINGVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “moral equivalent of war”
- “cash equivalent”
- “full-time equivalent (FTE)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for comparing costs, values, or positions (e.g., 'the salary is equivalent to £50,000').
Academic
Common in mathematics, science, and social sciences to denote equality in effect or value (e.g., 'statistically equivalent groups').
Everyday
Used for informal comparisons (e.g., 'This bag is the equivalent of three small ones').
Technical
Precise use in chemistry (gram equivalent), computing (logical equivalence), and engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Note: 'equivalent' is not standardly used as a verb. The verb form is 'equate' or 'be equivalent to'.)
American English
- (Note: 'equivalent' is not standardly used as a verb. The verb form is 'equate' or 'be equivalent to'.)
adverb
British English
- (Note: 'equivalently' is the adverbial form, but it is rare. 'Equally' or 'correspondingly' are more common.)
American English
- (Note: 'equivalently' is the adverbial form, but it is rare. 'Equally' or 'correspondingly' are more common.)
adjective
British English
- A kilometre is equivalent to about 0.62 miles.
- The role had no equivalent rank in the British army.
American English
- The new policy is equivalent to a ban on the activity.
- What's the dollar equivalent of fifty euros?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- One dollar is equivalent to about 100 yen.
- This bag is the equivalent of three smaller ones.
- The certificate is considered equivalent to a high school diploma.
- They offered me a job with equivalent pay.
- There is no direct equivalent for this word in other languages.
- The two chemicals are not equivalent in their environmental impact.
- The philosopher argued that the statement 'God is dead' was the moral equivalent of a cosmological revolution.
- The research compared the calorific equivalents of various biofuels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EQUIVALENT = EQUAL in VALue. They both start with 'equi-'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE (two different things on opposite sides of a scale, weighing the same).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing 'аналогичный' (analogous) when precise equality is meant. 'Эквивалентный' is the direct cognate.
- The Russian 'равнозначный' can also be a good fit for 'equivalent' in meaning.
- Do not confuse with 'identical' (тождественный).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'same as' when 'equivalent to' is more accurate for different things of equal value.
- Using 'equivalent' as a verb (e.g., 'This equivalates to...' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'equivalent' (equal in value) with 'identical' (exactly the same).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'equivalent' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Equal' often refers to identical numerical values or amounts (e.g., 2+2 equals 4). 'Equivalent' more often describes different things that have the same value, function, or effect (e.g, a diploma equivalent to a degree).
No, 'equivalent' is not a standard verb. Use 'be equivalent to', 'equate to', or 'correspond to' instead.
'Equivalent' implies equality in a specific, measurable aspect (value, effect). 'Analogous' suggests a similarity in relationship or function, but not necessarily equality (e.g., 'The heart is analogous to a pump').
Yes, but it is rare and formal. In most contexts, 'equally' or 'correspondingly' are more natural choices.
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