equivalence

IPA/ɪˈkwɪvələns/
KK[ɪkwˈɪvələns]IPA/ɪˈkwɪvələns/

equivalence — noun

1. the fact that two or more things are the same in amount, value, purpose, or qual

1.nounB2
Definition

the fact that two or more things are the same in amount, value, purpose, or quality

Example

The equivalence of the two currencies made shopping across the border easy for local people.

collocation: equivalence of [two things]

Benjamin discovered the equivalence between his foreign diploma and a local university degree.

collocation: equivalence between [X] and [Y]

Common collocations
  • direct equivalence
  • equivalence of qualifications
  • equivalence between currencies
  • prove equivalence
Synonyms
  • equality

    emphasises identical measure or quantity; less formal and more common than equivalence

  • parity

    formal; used especially for status, value, or currency exchange rates

  • correspondence

    suggests a point-by-point matching between two sets of things

Antonyms
  • difference

    the state of not being the same in amount or value

  • inequality

    formal antonym emphasising unequal distribution or status

Grammar Patterns

equivalence of [two or more things]

equivalence between [X] and [Y]

Usage Note

Uncountable; most often used in academic or formal contexts when comparing values, credentials, or quantities across systems.

Common Mistakes

There is an equivalence between my salary and my sister's salary.
My salary is equal to my sister's salary.
'Equivalence' describes a systematic relationship, not a simple numerical comparison between two individual items. Use 'equal to' for direct amounts.

2. a state in which two systems, groups, or ideas are regarded as having equal stat

2.nounC1
Definition

a state in which two systems, groups, or ideas are regarded as having equal status or effect

Example

Emre argued that full-time and part-time jobs lack true equivalence in terms of benefits.

pattern: lack equivalence in terms of...

The treaty established an equivalence between the rights of citizens in both countries.

collocation: establish an equivalence between

Common collocations
  • moral equivalence
  • functional equivalence
  • establish equivalence
  • true equivalence
Synonyms
  • balance

    more common; suggests equal weight, force, or distribution

  • symmetry

    formal; implies matching structure or arrangement on both sides

  • equilibrium

    formal; a state of balance between opposing forces or influences

Antonyms
  • imbalance

    a lack of balance or equal distribution

  • disparity

    formal; a great difference between two or more things

Grammar Patterns

an equivalence between [X] and [Y]

equivalence of [things]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense can appear with the indefinite article ('an equivalence') when referring to a specific balanced relationship between two systems.

Common Mistakes

The teacher saw an equivalence between Tom and Jerry because they both like sports.
The teacher saw a similarity between Tom and Jerry because they both like sports.
'Equivalence' is too strong and formal for casual likeness; use 'similarity' for ordinary comparisons of hobbies or traits.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Equivalence, equality, parity, correspondence, and similarity all describe relationships of likeness, but differ in scope and formality. Equality suggests identical measure or quantity — for example, 'the equality of two sums of money.' Parity is a formal term used especially for status, value, or exchange rates, as in 'wage parity between regions.' Correspondence implies a point-by-point matching relationship, such as 'the correspondence between a theory and its results.' Similarity is the broadest of the five, meaning likeness without implying sameness — 'the similarity between two paintings.' Equivalence sits between equality and similarity: it means things are effectively the same in value, effect, or purpose even if not identical in every detail. For example, two jobs with different tasks may still have equivalence in salary and status.

equality ↗parity ↗correspondence ↗similarity ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • equivalence relation
  • equivalence class
  • principle of equivalence

Adverbs

  • roughly equivalent
  • exactly equivalent
  • logically equivalent

Phrases

  • by equivalence
  • in equivalence to

Prepositions

  • equivalence of
  • equivalence between

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'equivalence' comes from Latin 'aequivalentia', formed from 'aequus' meaning 'equal' and 'valere' meaning 'to be worth'. It entered English through French 'équivalence' in the 1500s, first used in logic and mathematics to describe statements that carry the same truth value, and later broadened to general use.