Equal | Mean of equal in English Dictionary

/ˈiːkwəl/

• the same in number, amount, degree, rank, or quality
1. an equal number of apples and oranges
2. officers of equal rank
3. issues of equal importance = issues that are equal in importance
4. We divided the profits into three equal shares.
5. The play combines tragedy and comedy in equal measure/proportions.
6. The opposing candidate has demanded equal time on television.
7. “…all men are created equal…” U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776)
8. people from different cultures learning to live together on equal terms [=learning to live together as equals]
9. making it possible for poor children to compete on an equal footing [=in conditions where they have an equal chance] with other children
10. In one night he earned an amount equal to an entire month's salary.
11. issues that are equal in importance to the most serious problems we face
• having the same mathematical value
1. The fractions ¹/₂ and ²/₄ are equal.
2. ¹/₂ is equal to ²/₄.
• not changing
1. providing equal opportunities for children of all races
2. We need to have equal academic standards for male and female students.
3. equal rights
4. (US) an equal opportunity employer = (Brit) an equal opportunities employer [=an employer who does not discriminate against people because of their race, religion, etc.]

• able to do what is needed
1. He says that he's equal to the task. [=he's capable of completing the task]
• Noun
• someone or something that is as good, skillful, valuable, etc., as another person or thing
1. I consider him my equal.
2. They say they are producing wine that is the equal of the best wines in the world. [=that is as good as the best wines in the world]
3. We are all equals here.
4. He has no equal at chess. = He is without equal at chess. [=no one plays chess as well as he does]
• Verb
• to be as good as (something else)
1. Nothing can ever equal that experience.
• to produce something that is as good as (something else) or to do something as well as (someone else)
1. See if you can equal that!
2. a weight lifter attempting to equal his rival's performance
3. No one can equal him in chess.
• to have the same force, effect, etc., as (something else)
1. His arrogance is equaled only by his vanity. [=he is both extremely arrogant and vain]