equivalent

Definitions

equi- (equal) + val (worth) + -ent (adj.) = 'of equal worth.' Two things are equivalent when they carry the same value, weight, or effect — not necessarily identical, but worth the same. (equi- belongs to the equ root, marked separately.)

Common Collocations

• 1.equivalent to等同于
• 2.the equivalent of相当于
• 3.roughly equivalent大致相当
• 4.cash equivalent现金等价物
• 5.functionally equivalent功能上等同

Example Sentences

• 1.

  One mile is roughly equivalent to 1.6 kilometres.

• 2.

  There is no exact English equivalent for this Chinese idiom.

• 3.

  The two jobs offer equivalent pay and benefits.

Easily Confused

equivalent vs. equal — equal means exactly the same in quantity or value (3 + 2 = 5). equivalent means corresponding in value or effect but not necessarily identical: a metric equivalent, a job of equivalent rank. Use equal for sameness, equivalent for matching worth across different things.