equate

[ih-kweyt]

verb (used with object)

equated, equating 

1. to regard, treat, or represent as equivalent.

   We cannot equate the possession of wealth with goodness.

2. to state the equality of or between; put in the form of an equation.

   to equate growing prosperity with the physical health of a nation.

3. to reduce to an average; make such correction or allowance in as will reduce to a common standard of comparison.

equate

/ ɪˈkweɪt /

verb

1. to make or regard as equivalent or similar, esp in order to compare or balance

2. maths to indicate the equality of; form an equation from

3. (intr) to be equal; correspond

Other Word Forms

• equatability noun
• equatable adjective
• unequated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of equate¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin aequātus (past participle of aequāre to make equal), equivalent to aequ ( us ) equal + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of equate¹

C15: from Latin aequāre to make _equal

Example Sentences

"But perhaps we shouldn't be too quick to cleanly equate one man with the other – because Jay Kelly isn't Jay Kelly either, and that's the problem."

From BBC

Those warrants haven’t been exercised, but they equate to firm government authority over the firms’ activities.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking to the New Left Review, Sultana praised Corbynism's mass appeal, but said he "capitulated" to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism, saying it "equates it with anti-Zionism".

From BBC

He has, for many years, equated criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

From BBC

Lewis says it started to damage his self-esteem and he found himself chasing validation - equating his worth with his body.

From BBC

Related Words

• associate 
• liken 
• relate