What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subequal
Example
The two numbers are subequal, with only a slight difference between them. [subequal: adjective]
Example
The two groups have subequal numbers of members. [subequal: adjective]
equivalent
Example
A dollar bill and four quarters are equivalent in value. [equivalent: adjective]
Example
In this recipe, butter can be used as an equivalent for margarine. [equivalent: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Equivalent is more commonly used than subequal in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and is more versatile.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subequal and equivalent?
Both subequal and equivalent can be used in formal contexts, especially in mathematics and science. However, subequal may be considered more technical or specialized than equivalent.
