What does equalised mean?
Equalised is chiefly a British-English verb form meaning "made equal" or "brought to the same level," and it can also mean "became equal," as when two teams come level. In its adjectival use, it describes something adjusted so that differences are reduced or eliminated: equalised treatment, for example, means treatment on the same terms for everyone. The word is neutral in register and is common in news, education, technology, sport, and discussions of equality. Its -ise spelling distinguishes British and other -ise varieties from the usual American spelling, equalized. Equalised is useful because it captures both the action of removing a disparity and, through its adjective form, the resulting state of parity. It can be transitive, as in "the policy equalised access," or intransitive, as in "the scores equalised late." Although some uses can suggest deliberate standardisation, the basic sense is straightforward: making separate things equivalent or allowing them to match.
To bring into equality or make to match another person or thing; also, to become equal or come level.
"The policy was designed to equalised opportunities across the region."
It may be transitive, taking the thing being brought into equality, or intransitive, describing the achievement of equality.
Adjusted or treated so that differences are reduced or eliminated.
"The report compares the equalised earnings of full-time and part-time staff."
One word, two sides of the Atlantic: British equalised becomes American equalized, with the same meaning and a single s standing in for a z.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does equalised come from?
Equalised is the British past tense and past participle of equalise, which combines equal with the suffix -ise; the usual American form uses -ize. Equal comes through Old French egal from Latin aequalis, meaning "equal" or "level," which derives from aequus, meaning "even, level, or equal." The same Latin root underlies equality, equate, equation, and equable.
Related word forms
How equalised is actually used
The word is neutral in register and can be transitive or intransitive. Its adjectival use is especially common in discussions of treatment, access, resources, and technical sound reproduction.
Easily confused with equalised
Equalized is the standard American spelling of the same form, while equalised is the standard British spelling.
Equalled means matched or was equal to something, whereas equalised more specifically describes bringing parties, values, or conditions into equality.