Meaning & use
equivalent
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Meanings
adjectiveafter a verb
Having the same value, size, effect or meaning as something else, even if it is not the same thing.
Grammar: Usually followed by to: one mile is equivalent to about 1.6 kilometers.
Patterns
- equivalent to something
- roughly equivalent
One pound of butter is roughly equivalent to two cups.
A year of volunteering is equivalent to a short course in management.
The two certificates are equivalent in status.
nouncountable
A person, word or thing that matches another in value, role or meaning, especially one from a different system or language.
Grammar: Often followed by of or in: the equivalent of a mayor.
Patterns
- the equivalent of something
- an equivalent in something
Chef is the French equivalent of cook in many kitchens.
He earns the equivalent of three thousand dollars a month.
The Senate is the American equivalent of the British House of Lords.
Word forms
| plural | equivalents |
|---|
Common combinations
- roughly equivalent
- The two jobs are roughly equivalent in pay.
- equivalent to
- An hour here is equivalent to ten minutes there.
- the nearest equivalent
- There is no nearest equivalent in English for that word.
- the equivalent of
- The fine is the equivalent of a week's wages.
- an exact equivalent
- There is no exact equivalent of this dish in Spain.
- equivalent qualification
- Applicants need a degree or an equivalent qualification.
Synonyms and how they differ
- equal
- Equal says things are exactly the same in amount, while equivalent allows them to differ in form so long as they count for the same.
- comparable
- Comparable means similar enough to compare, but not necessarily matching in value.
- tantamount
- Tantamount is more formal and says something amounts to something worse or stronger, as in tantamount to a lie.
- identical
- Identical means exactly the same in every detail, which is stronger than equivalent.
Opposites
Word family
- equivalence noun
- the state of being equal in value or meaning
- equivalently adverb
- in a way that has the same effect
- equal adjective
- the same in amount or value
- equate verb
- to consider two things the same
Commonly confused: equivalent or equal?
equivalent vs equal
Equal means exactly the same in amount, whereas equivalent means the same in worth or function though possibly different in form.
Practice
A kilometer is roughly equivalent ___ six-tenths of a mile.
Choose one answer.
Equivalent takes the preposition to. As, with and for are tempting but are not used with equivalent.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “equivalent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.