equaladj/ˈiːkwəl/

• 1

  The same in one or more respects.

  • Near-synonyms: equivalent; see also Thesaurus:equal
  • Dr. [Eugenia] Cheng's latest book, Unequal: The Math of When Things Do and Don’t Add Up, is all about equations and will be released in the United States on Tuesday. But it is more than a regurgitation of the many formulas you may recall learning in high school. In the book, Dr. Cheng argues that an equation — in its barest sense, a declaration that two things are equal — can be a profound statement on the choices we make about what is or is not the same. For example, 2 × 3 may equal 3 × 2. But two packs of three cookies each is distinct from three packs of two cookies each. A cube drawn face-on versus from one edge looks different, though we understand the two shapes to be the same. "Almost everything can be considered equal and unequal at the same time," Dr. Cheng wrote. "And it's up to us what we do about it."
• 2

  The same in one or more respects.

  • We hold that all men are created equal and are thus equal under the law.
  • All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than the others.
• 3

  The same in one or more respects.

  • Equal conditions should produce equal results.
  • All else being equal, we can expect this factor to have no discernible effect by itself.
• 4

  mathematicssciencesThe same in one or more respects.

  • All right angles are equal.
  • The skipper Mr. Cooke had hired at Far Harbor was a God-fearing man with a luke warm interest in his new billet and employer, and had only been prevailed upon to take charge of the yacht after the offer of an emolument equal to half a year's sea pay of an ensign in the navy.
• 5

  obsoleteFair, impartial.

  • it could not but much redound to the lustre of your milde and equall Government, when as private persons are hereby animated to thinke ye better pleas'd with publick advice, then other statists have been delighted heretofore with publicke flattery.
  • Are not my ways equal?
• 6

  Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.

  • This test is pretty tough, but I think I'm equal to it.
  • be equal to the task
• 7

  obsoleteNot variable; equable; uniform; even.

  • an equal movement
  • an equal temper
• 8

  entertainmentlifestylemusicIntended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; not mixed.

equalverb/ˈiːkwəl/

• 1

  mathematicssciencesTo be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.

  • Two plus two equals four.
• 2

  To make equivalent to; to cause to match.

  • David equaled the water levels of the bottles, so they now both contain exactly 1 liter.
  • There was an even more remarkable attendance figure that underscores the devotion exhibited by our fans, because it was in 1991 that they set a single season in-stadium attendance record that has never been equaled.
• 3

  To match in degree or some other quality, to match up to.

  • And what delights can equal those ⁠That stir the spirit’s inner deeps, ⁠When one that loves but knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and knows?
• 4

  informalTo have as consequence, to amount to, to mean.

  • Losing this deal equals losing your job.
  • Might does not equal right.

equalnoun/ˈiːkwəl/

• 1

  A person or thing of equal status to others.

  • We're all equals here.
  • This beer has no equal.
• 2

  obsoleteState of being equal; equality.

  • Thou that presum'st to weigh the world anew, And all things to an equall to restore.