equalise

IPA/ˈiːkwəlˌaɪz/
IPA/ˈiːkwəlˌaɪz/

equalise — verb

1. to make two or more amounts, levels, or standards the same as each other

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to make two or more amounts, levels, or standards the same as each other

Example

The government introduced new laws to help equalise pay between men and women.

collocation: equalise pay between

Ayesha used the software to equalise the sound levels across all the audio files.

Common collocations
  • equalise pay
  • equalise access
  • equalise opportunities
  • equalise funding
  • equalise standards
  • equalise between
  • equalise across
Synonyms
  • balance

    more general; can refer to physical or financial balance

  • even out

    phrasal verb; slightly more informal

  • standardise

    focuses on making things follow a single rule or format, not necessarily numerically equal

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

equalise + noun phrase (most common)

Usage Note

The object is typically an amount, level, or standard — not a person. You equalise pay, access, or opportunities, not 'equalise people'. This sense can also be used intransitively (e.g. 'the differences will eventually equalise').

Common Mistakes

The new law will equalise everyone.
The new law will equalise opportunities for everyone.
The verb takes an abstract amount or standard as object, not a person or group.

2. to score points that bring your team level with the opposing side during a match

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to score points that bring your team level with the opposing side during a match

Example

Nikos equalised for his team with a powerful header in the second half.

football context: equalise with a header

The home team equalised just minutes before the final whistle to earn a draw.

intransitive use in sports

Common collocations
  • equalise for the team
  • equalise in the match
  • equalise late in the game
  • equalise from a corner
Synonyms
  • draw level

    phrasal verb; slightly more formal in commentary

  • tie

    mainly American English; also used for non-sports scores

Antonyms
  • fall behind

    to be behind in score after being level or ahead

Grammar Patterns

equalise + for + team/noun phrase

equalise + in + the match

Usage Note

Common in football (soccer), but also used in hockey and rugby. In American English the spelling is 'equalize'. The verb is almost always intransitive — you equalise, not 'equalise the score'.

Common Mistakes

He equalised the score in the final minute.
He equalised in the final minute.
In sports contexts 'equalise' is intransitive and does not take a direct object.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Balance', 'even out', 'standardise', and 'smooth' all relate to making things more equal or uniform, but they differ in nuance. 'Balance' (e.g. 'balance the budget') suggests adjusting two sides until they match, often in financial or physical contexts. 'Even out' (e.g. 'even out the distribution of resources') is a slightly informal phrasal verb that works well for gradual or natural processes. 'Standardise' (e.g. 'standardise testing procedures') implies enforcing a single rule or format across items, which may not make them strictly equal. 'Smooth' (e.g. 'smooth out the differences') focuses on removing irregularities. In contrast, 'equalise' specifically means to make quantities or levels measurably the same and carries a stronger sense of fairness and parity.

balance ↗even out ↗standardise ↗smooth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'aequalis' meaning 'equal' or 'level', via Old French 'equal' and Middle English 'equal'. The suffix '-ise' came from Greek '-izein' through French '-iser'. The verb replaced the earlier use of 'equal' itself as a verb from the 1500s. The sports-scoring sense emerged in early 20th-century British football and rugby commentary.