equal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a person who is of equal standing with another in a group
    peer; compeer; match.
  2. verb be identical or equivalent to
    be.
    • One dollar equals 1,000 rubles these days!
  3. verb be equal to in quality or ability
    touch; rival; match.
    • Nothing can rival cotton for durability
    • Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
    • Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
  4. verb make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching
    equalize; equate; match; equalise.
    • let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office
    • The company matched the discount policy of its competitors
  5. adjective having the same quantity, value, or measure as another
    • on equal terms
    • all men are equal before the law
  6. adjective having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    adequate.
    • she had adequate training
    • her training was adequate
    • she was adequate to the job
    • he was equal to the task

WordNet

E"qual adjective
Etymology
L. aequalis, fr. aequus even, equal; akin to Skr. ka, and perh. to L. unus for older oinos one, E. one.
Definitions
  1. Agreeing in quantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.; having the same magnitude, the same value, the same degree, etc.; -- applied to number, degree, quantity, and intensity, and to any subject which admits of them; neither inferior nor superior, greater nor less, better nor worse; corresponding; alike; as, equal quantities of land, water, etc. ; houses of equal size; persons of equal stature or talents; commodities of equal value.
  2. Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is not equal to the task.
    The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to fight with the English. Clarendon.
    It is not permitted to me to make my commendations equal to your merit. Dryden.
    Whose voice an equal messenger Conveyed thy meaning mild. Emerson.
  3. Not variable; equable; uniform; even; as, an equal movement. "An equal temper." Dryden.
  4. Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just.
    Are not my ways equal? Ezek. xviii. 29.
    Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem. Spenser.
    Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise. Milton.
  5. Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.
    They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me. Cheyne.
  6. (Mus.) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; -- opposed to mixed. R.
  7. (Math.) Exactly agreeing with respect to quantity. Syn. -- Even; equable; uniform; adequate; proportionate; commensurate; fair; just; equitable.
E"qual noun
Definitions
  1. One not inferior or superior to another; one having the same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents, strength, or other quality or condition; an equal quantity or number; as, "If equals be taken from equals the remainders are equal."
    Those who were once his equals envy and defame him. Addison.
  2. State of being equal; equality. Obs. Spenser.
E"qual transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Equaled or Equalled; present participle & verbal noun Equaling or Equalling
Definitions
  1. To be or become equal to; to have the same quantity, the same value, the same degree or rank, or the like, with; to be commenurate with.
    On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety. Shak.
  2. To make equal return to; to recompense fully.
    Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love. Dryden.
  3. To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality.
    He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible. Berkeley.

Webster 1913