equal
/ˈiːkwəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiːkwəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈē-kwəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈiː.kwəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈiː.kwəl/ (ame, ipa)
equal — adjective
- equalpositive
- more equalcomparative
- most equalsuperlative
1. having the same amount, size, or value as something else — for example, two piec
having the same amount, size, or value as something else — for example, two pieces of cake cut so that each is the same size, or two numbers that represent the same quantity.
The baker cut the cake into two equal halves for the twins.
collocation: equal halves
Both teams scored an equal number of goals, so the match ended in a draw.
collocation: equal number of
The two bottles hold an equal volume of water — one litre each.
Dividing the profits into four equal shares seemed fair to everyone.
A day on Venus is roughly equal to 243 Earth days in length.
- identical
means exactly the same in every detail, stricter than 'equal'
- equivalent
same in effect or function, not necessarily in exact measure
- same
general term for not different; less precise than 'equal'
文法句型
equal to + noun
用法筆記
When comparing two items, use the pattern 'equal to + noun'. Unlike the verb sense, the adjective requires the preposition 'to': 'This amount is equal to that amount.'
常見錯誤
2. treated or valued just like everyone else, with no one receiving better or worse
treated or valued just like everyone else, with no one receiving better or worse treatment because of who they are — for instance, every citizen sharing the identical legal protections regardless of background.
All citizens are equal under the law in a democratic society.
fixed phrase: equal under the law
Talia believes every child deserves equal access to quality education.
The company introduced an equal-pay policy for men and women doing the same job.
The new law guarantees equal opportunities for all job applicants regardless of age.
In many countries, women still fight for equal treatment in the workplace.
- unequal
not having the same rights or treatment
- discriminatory
treating people unfairly based on group differences
文法句型
equal + noun (attributive)
be + equal
用法筆記
Very common in formal, legal, and social-justice contexts. Often appears in fixed phrases such as 'equal rights', 'equal opportunities', and 'equal pay'.
常見錯誤
3. having the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal with a difficult situ
having the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal with a difficult situation or task — for example, a doctor being equal to the demands of a complex surgery.
The young surgeon proved equal to the challenge of the emergency operation.
fixed pattern: prove equal to + noun
After months of training, Mayumi felt equal to managing the entire department alone.
pattern: feel equal to + gerund
The old wooden bridge was no longer equal to carrying the weight of heavy trucks.
The manager wondered if the new team was equal to the enormous task ahead.
- capable of
more common in everyday English, less formal
- up to
informal alternative; 'I'm not up to it today'
- adequate for
focuses on sufficiency rather than inherent ability
- unequal to
not having the necessary ability or strength
- incapable of
lacking the ability altogether
文法句型
be + equal + to + noun/gerund
用法筆記
This sense follows only the fixed pattern 'equal to + noun/gerund'. It is fairly formal and more common in written English than in everyday conversation. The negative form 'not equal to' is particularly frequent.
常見錯誤
equal — noun
- equalsingular
- equalsplural
1. a person whose ability, status, or importance matches another person's — for exa
a person whose ability, status, or importance matches another person's — for example, a chess champion who has no rival in the country, or a product that competes with the best on the market.
As a chess player, the young champion has no equal in the country.
fixed expression: have no equal
The new tablet is the equal of any high-end laptop in terms of speed.
pattern: the equal of + noun
Takeshi treats all of his colleagues as equals, regardless of their job titles.
Among the students in her class, Eve had few equals in mathematical ability.
The athlete finally met her equal in the Olympic finals — a runner from Kenya.
- peer
focuses on age or social group rather than ability
- match
emphasises competitive equivalence; 'he met his match'
- counterpart
a person in a similar position in a different organisation
文法句型
possessive + equal
no + equal
the + equal + of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the negative structures 'have no equal' or 'without equal' to emphasise that someone/something is the best. Can also be used with possessive pronouns: 'my equal', 'his equal'.
常見錯誤
❌ 'This product has no equal in the marketplace.' — This is actually correct! But note: 'no equal' is always singular, never 'no equals'.
equal — verb
- equalpresent simple I / you / we / they
- equals3rd person singular
- equalling-ing form
- equalledpast simple
1. to have the same value, amount, or size as something else — for example, two plu
to have the same value, amount, or size as something else — for example, two plus two equalling four, or a measurement in one unit equalling a specific amount in another unit.
Two plus two equals four — it is one of the first maths facts children learn.
maths formula: X plus Y equals Z
One kilometre equals approximately six-tenths of a mile.
The total cost of the repairs equalled the current market value of the car.
A single United States dollar currently equals about thirty pesos in the local exchange market.
The amount of water in the tank equals about two hundred litres when full.
文法句型
X + equals + Y
用法筆記
Unlike the adjective sense ('equal to'), the verb 'equal' does NOT take a preposition. Use 'X equals Y', not 'X equals to Y'. Very common in mathematics, finance, and measurement contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to reach a level or result that is as good as someone else's — for example, a ru
to reach a level or result that is as good as someone else's — for example, a runner who ties a world record, or a business that performs as well as its main competitor.
The young sprinter equalled the world record in her very first international race.
pattern: equal + a record
No other player in the tournament has equalled his score of one hundred and forty-seven.
The company's third-quarter profits nearly equalled those of its biggest rival in the industry.
Camila studied every evening to equal her brother's excellent grades in mathematics.
The new smartphones battery life equals that of the previous model by a narrow margin.
- fall short of
not reaching a particular standard or target
文法句型
X + equals + Y + in + noun
用法筆記
This sense is typically used in competitive or achievement contexts: sports records, academic results, business performance. Often occurs with 'equal + a record/score/achievement'. The past tense is 'equalled' (UK) or 'equaled' (US).
常見錯誤
3. to produce a particular result or effect — for example, missing a deadline equal
to produce a particular result or effect — for example, missing a deadline equalling the loss of a contract, or a certain number of points equalling a prize.
Missing the deadline for the application equals losing the chance to study abroad.
pattern: [action] equals [consequence]
In this game, collecting a hundred gold coins equals winning a bonus level.
For many families, owning a home equals achieving a sense of long-term security.
In the scoring system, a correct answer equals ten points for the contestant.
Refusing to negotiate in this situation equals accepting the terms they have offered.
- means
more versatile and common in everyday English
- amounts to
emphasises the cumulative or net effect
- is equivalent to
more formal, often used in logical arguments
文法句型
X + equals + Y (outcome)
用法筆記
This sense is often used to explain rules, consequences, or logical implications. It overlaps with verb/1 (SAME VALUE), but verb/3 extends from mathematical equality to logical or situational equivalence. Common in games, business, and everyday reasoning.
常見錯誤
4. to make something equal, balanced, or uniform with something else — for example,
to make something equal, balanced, or uniform with something else — for example, a late goal equalling the score, or a policy aimed at equalling opportunities.
The striker's goal in the final minute equalled the score at two goals each.
pattern: goal equals the score
The new scholarship programme aims to equal educational opportunities across all regions.
Élise's generous donation helped equal the funds raised by the two competing teams.
The tax reform was designed to equal the financial burden across different income groups.
- unbalance
to make uneven or unequal
文法句型
X + equals + Y (makes Y equal)
用法筆記
This sense is less common than the other verb senses and is often replaced by 'equalize' in modern English, especially in British English. Most frequently encountered in sports contexts ('equalled the score') or formal writing about policy.