Dictionaries say things like this when defining the word "equal"
equal
adjective: equal
1.
being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value.
"add equal amounts of water and flour"
synonyms:identical, uniform, alike, like, the same, one and the same, equivalent, indistinguishable; More
matching, twin;
comparable, similar, corresponding, correspondent, commensurate
"two lines of equal length"
equivalent, identical, amounting;
proportionate, tantamount;
the same as, commensurate with, on a par with
"fares were equal to a fortnight's wages for a skilled craftsman"
antonyms:unequal, different, more than, less than
(of people) having the same status, rights, or opportunities.
"people are born free and equal"
uniform in application or effect; without discrimination on any grounds.
"a dedicated campaigner for equal rights"
synonyms:unbiased, impartial, non-partisan, fair, fair-minded, just, even-handed, equitable; More
unprejudiced, unbigoted, non-discriminatory, free from discrimination, egalitarian;
neutral, objective, disinterested, without fear or favour
"the right to equal treatment before the law"
antonyms:unequal, discriminatory
evenly or fairly balanced.
"it was hardly an equal contest"
synonyms:evenly matched, evenly balanced, even, balanced, level, evenly proportioned, well matched, on a par, on an equal footing; More
informalfifty-fifty, level pegging, neck and neck
"a fair and equal contest"
antonyms:uneven, unequal
2.
having the ability or resources to meet (a challenge).
"the players proved equal to the task"
synonyms:capable of, fit for, up to, good/strong enough for, adequate for, sufficient for, ready for; More
suitable for, suited to, appropriate for;
informalup to scratch, having what it takes
"Patricia was equal to the task"
noun: equal; plural noun: equals
1.
a person or thing that is the same as another in status or quality.
"we all treat each other as equals"
synonyms:equivalent, peer, fellow, coequal, like; More
mate, twin, alter ego, counterpart, match, parallel;
rarecompeer
"they did not treat him as their equal"
antonyms:superior, inferior
verb: equal; 3rd person present: equals; past tense: equalled; past participle: equalled; gerund or present participle: equalling; past tense: equaled; past participle: equaled; gerund or present participle: equaling
1.
be the same as in number or amount.
"four plus six divided by two equals five"
synonyms:be equal to, be equivalent to, be the same as, correspond to; come to, amount to, make, total, add up to;
tot up to
"thirty six divided by two equals eighteen"
match or rival in performance or extent.
"he equalled the world record of 9.93 seconds"
synonyms:match, reach, parallel, come up to, be level with, measure up to, achieve More
"he equalled the world record"
be as good as, be equal/even/level with, be a match for, match, measure up to, come up to, equate with, be in the same league as, be in the same category as, be tantamount to;
rival, compete with, contend with, vie with
"the fable equals that of any other poet"
antonyms:lose to, beat
be equivalent to.
"his work is concerned with why private property equals exploitation"
synonyms:be equal to, be equivalent to, be the same as, correspond to; More
come to, amount to, make, total, add up to;
tot up to
"thirty six divided by two equals eighteen"
Which definition are you using?
