What does equally mean?
Equally is an adverb that expresses sameness of degree, amount, or treatment. Its most common sense indicates that two or more things share an identical measure — people can be equally talented, risks can be equally serious, or money can be divided equally among heirs. A second sense emphasizes fairness, describing distribution made without favoritism or bias. In addition, equally frequently serves as a sentence-level connective in argument and discussion, introducing a point that carries comparable weight to one just stated, much like "similarly" or "in like manner." The word derives from "equal," which traces back through Old French to the Latin aequalis, from aequare, "to make level." Because it spans both mathematical precision and ethical fairness, equally is useful across registers, appearing everywhere from legal documents and scientific writing to everyday conversation about sharing and balance.
adverbIn an equal or identical manner; to the same degree or extent. Also used as a sentence adverb to introduce a point of comparable weight, meaning 'similarly' or 'in the same way'.
- To the same degree or extent; in identical measure (e.g., 'The twins were equally tall').
- In a fair and even manner, without favoring one side (e.g., 'The land was split equally among the heirs').
- As a sentence adverb introducing a point of comparable weight: 'similarly' or 'in like manner' (e.g., 'The plan is bold; equally, it is risky).
"The prize money was divided equally between the three finalists."
"Both candidates performed equally well in the debate."
"The inheritance was divided equally among the four siblings."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of equally
Equally derives from the adjective "equal," formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly. "Equal" entered English via Old French from Latin aequalis, meaning "uniform" or "level," itself from aequare, "to make even or level," built on the root aequus, "fair" or "even." The same Latin root gives English cognates such as "equate," "equity," "adequate," and "equator." The adverb has been in use since at least the early modern period.
Related word forms
How equally is actually used
Neutral register — appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. In argumentative writing, "equally" often functions as a discourse marker to introduce a second, comparably valid consideration, sometimes slightly ironically.
Easily confused with equally
"Equal" is an adjective describing things that are the same in size, value, or status, while "equally" is its adverb form describing how something is done or distributed.