- equal
- [[t]i͟ːkwəl[/t]]
♦♦♦equals, equalling, equalled(in AM, use equaling, equaled)1) ADJ: oft ADJ to n If two things are equal or if one thing is equal to another, they are the same in size, number, standard, or value.
Investors can borrow an amount equal to the property's purchase price.
...in a population having equal numbers of men and women...
Research and teaching are of equal importance.
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If different groups of people have equal rights or are given equal treatment, they have the same rights or are treated the same as each other, however different they are.We will be justly demanding equal rights at work.
...the commitment to equal opportunities.
...new legislation allowing building societies to compete on equal terms with their competitors.
3) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ If you say that people are equal, you mean that they have or should have the same rights and opportunities as each other.We are equal in every way...
At any gambling game, everyone is equal.
4) N-COUNT: poss N Someone who is your equal has the same ability, status, or rights as you have.She was one of the boys, their equal...
You should have married somebody more your equal.
5) ADJ-GRADED: v-link ADJ to n If someone is equal to a particular job or situation, they have the necessary ability, strength, or courage to deal successfully with it.She was determined that she would be equal to any test the corporation put to them...
The guards were equal to anything.
6) V-LINK If something equals a particular number or amount, it is the same as that amount or the equivalent of that amount.[V amount] 9 percent interest less 7 percent inflation equals 2 percent...
[V amount] The average pay rise equalled 1.41 times inflation.
7) VERB To equal something or someone means to be as good or as great as them.[V n] The victory equalled Southend's best in history...
[V n] No amount of money can equal memories like that.
8) PHRASE: V inflects (emphasis) If you say that someone or something has no equal, you think that there is nothing that is as good as them or that reaches the same standard.As a pastor, it can be argued he has no equal...
The film demands attention, and has no equal in cinema history.
9) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say `other things being equal' or `all things being equal' when talking about a possible situation, you mean if nothing unexpected happens or if there are no other factors which affect the situation.It appears reasonable to assume that, other things being equal, most hostel tenants would prefer single to shared rooms...
All things being equal, should it matter who earns most money?
English dictionary. 2008.
