adjective / noun · academic

equivalent

/ɪˈkwɪvələnt/e·QUIV·a·lent

Band 7+task2task1speaking

equal in value, amount, function, meaning, or effect; something that is equal to something else

Examples

One US dollar is roughly equivalent to 0.85 euros at the time of writing.

Her role is equivalent to that of a deputy manager.

We translated the score into an equivalent grade on the national scale.

Band 8 sentence

The new qualification is broadly equivalent to the previous degree, though assessed by different criteria.

Collocations

  • be equivalent to
  • the equivalent of

Word family

equivalence nounequivalently adverb

Common mistakes

use 'equivalent with' instead of 'equivalent to'.equivalent to

confuse 'equivalent' and 'equal' in technical contexts.use 'equivalent' when meaning similar in function/value; 'equal' when exactly the same amount/degree

Say it for a higher band

5equal6comparable7+equivalent

Synonyms

comparable

equal

Easily confused

equal

Two plus two equals four; they are equal.

comparable

The two systems are comparable in efficiency.

Related words

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In Sublist 10

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