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equal

Pronunciation: /ˈiːkw(ə)l/
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Definition of equal

adjective

  • 1being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value:add equal amounts of water and flour 1 litre is roughly equal to 1 quart
  • (of people) having the same status, rights, or opportunities: people are born free and equal a society where women and men are equal partners
  • uniform in application or effect; without discrimination on any grounds:a dedicated campaigner for equal rights
  • evenly or fairly balanced:it was hardly an equal contest
  • 2 (equal to) having the ability or resources to meet (a challenge):the players proved equal to the task

noun

  • a person or thing that is the same as another in status or quality:we all treat each other as equals entertainment facilities without equal in the British Isles

verb (equals, equalling, equalled; US equals, equaling, equaled)

[with object]
  • be the same as in number or amount:four plus six divided by two equals five the total debits should equal the total credits
  • match or rival in performance or extent:he equalled the world record of 9.93 seconds
  • be equivalent to:his work is concerned with why private property equals exploitation

Phrases

(the) first among equals

the person or thing having the highest status in a group: the clerk was regarded as first among equals by the other chief officers

on equal terms

with the same advantages and disadvantages:all companies should be able to compete on equal terms

other (or all) things being equal

provided that other factors or circumstances remain the same:it follows that, other things being equal, the price level will rise

some —— are more equal than others

although members of a society or group appear to be equal, in reality some receive better treatment than others:evidently, some communities are more equal than others

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin aequalis, from aequus 'even, level, equal'

It is widely held that adjectives such as equal and unique should not be modified and that it is incorrect to say more equal or very unique, on the grounds that these are adjectives which refer to a logical or mathematical absolute. For more discussion of this question, see unique (usage).

equal in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of equal in the US English dictionary

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