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equally

adverb
EE-kwuh-lee/ˈiːkwəli/

3 meanings of equally

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    To the same degree or extent; just as much.

    The two candidates are equally qualified for the position.

    Critics found the sequel equally compelling.

    Similarsimilarly

    Note

    Here the word grades a quality rather than a way of acting, so it stands directly before an adjective or adverb: equally far, equally qualified. Often no second term appears at all. In "the gas stations are equally far from the highway," the comparison runs among the stations themselves. That is why the subject is usually plural, or the point of comparison has just been mentioned.

  2. 2
    adverb
    In an equal manner; in equal shares, or with fair and impartial treatment for all.

    The estate was divided equally between the two siblings.

    A good referee applies the rules equally to both sides.

    Similarevenly, fairly, impartially, uniformly

    Oppositeunequally, unevenly, unfairly

    Note

    The manner sense, built plainly from equal + -ly, describes how something is done: shared, divided, taxed, treated. It sits close to the verb it qualifies, as in divided equally among the guests, shared equally in the spoils, or equally taxed. Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great (c. 1587–1588) already has "share equally the gold." Unlike the "just as" meaning, it says nothing about how much of a quality things have.

  3. 3
    adverb
    Used to introduce a further point presented as just as valid or important as the one already made.

    The economy needs reform; equally, the education system requires attention.

    Critics praised the direction. Equally, they admired the cinematography.

    Similarlikewise, similarly

    Note

    A sentence adverb that connects rather than measures. It opens its clause, set off by a comma, after a full stop or semicolon: "Equally, Frank's business slowed." What it adds is a claim of balance. The second statement is offered as a parallel weighing as much as the first, a sense carried over from the "just as" meaning.

Practice

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Origin

Formed from the adjective "equal" combined with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly".