Equal vs. Identical: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Equal means being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. Identical means exactly the same, without any difference.
Key Differences
Equal refers to the sameness in a specific aspect like value, quantity, or size. For example, two slices of cake can be equal in size. Identical, however, implies complete sameness in every aspect, as in two products from the same manufacturing batch.
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Nov 30, 2023
In mathematics, equal is used to denote equivalence in value, like 2 + 2 equals 4. But identical would mean something more akin to absolute sameness, like two copies of the same number or equation.
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Equality can exist in abstract concepts like rights and opportunities, suggesting parity in status or treatment. Identicalness, on the other hand, is more concrete and physical, like two identical twins having the same genetic makeup.
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Equal items can still have differences in their characteristics or appearance. Two employees with equal experience may have different skill sets. Identical items are mirror images of each other, like identical twins being virtually indistinguishable in appearance.
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Nov 30, 2023
In a legal context, equal treatment under the law doesn't mean treating everyone identically, but rather with fairness based on the situation. Identical treatment would imply a one-size-fits-all approach, without considering individual circumstances.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Same in quantity, size, degree, or value
Exactly the same, without any difference
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Abstract vs. Concrete
Can be abstract (like rights)
More concrete and physical
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Legal Context
Fair treatment based on the situation
One-size-fits-all approach
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Equal and Identical Definitions
Identical
Clone-like similarity
She bought two identical dresses in different colors.
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Identical
Undifferentiated
The factory produced thousands of identical parts.
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Identical
Being the same
Another orator who used the senator's identical words.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
Exactly equal and alike
Your car is identical to mine. Are the fingerprints at the crime scene identical with those of the accused?.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Having the same privileges, status, or rights
Citizens equal before the law.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
(Biology) Of or relating to a twin or twins developed from the same fertilized ovum and having the same genetic makeup and closely similar appearance; monozygotic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Being the same for all members of a group
Gave every player an equal chance to win.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
(not comparable) Bearing full likeness by having precisely the same set of characteristics; indistinguishable.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Having the requisite qualities, such as strength or ability, for a task or situation
"Elizabeth found herself quite equal to the scene" (Jane Austen).
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
(not comparable) Not different or other; not another or others; not different as regards self; selfsame; numerically identical.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Similar to or the same as another, as in ability
As the playoffs began, the teams were considered roughly equal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
One that is equal to another
These two models are equals in computing power.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
To do, make, or produce something equal to
Equaled the world record in the mile run.
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Identical
Something which has exactly the same properties as something else.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
(not comparable) The same in all respects.
Equal conditions should produce equal results.
All men are created equal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
The same; the selfsame; the very same; not different; as, the identical person or thing.
I can not remember a thing that happened a year ago, without a conviction . . . that I, the same identical person who now remember that event, did then exist.
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Identical
Uttering sameness or the same truth; expressing in the predicate what is given, or obviously implied, in the subject; tautological.
When you say body is solid, I say that you make an identical proposition, because it is impossible to have the idea of body without that of solidity.
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Equal
(comparable) Adequate; sufficiently capable or qualified.
This test is pretty tough, but I think I'm equal to it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
Exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different;
Rows of identical houses
Cars identical except for their license plates
They wore indistinguishable hats
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
Being the exact same one; not any other:;
This is the identical room we stayed in before
The themes of his stories are one and the same
Saw the selfsame quotation in two newspapers
On this very spot
The very thing he said yesterday
The very man I want to see
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
(music) Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; not mixed.
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Identical
(of twins) derived from a single egg or ovum;
Identical twins are monovular
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Equal
To be equal to, to have the same value as; to correspond to.
Two plus two equals four.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
(transitive) To make equivalent to; to cause to match.
David equaled the water levels of the bottles, so they now both contain exactly 1 liter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
(informal) To have as its consequence.
Losing this deal equals losing your job.
Might does not equal right.
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Oct 19, 2023
Identical
Exactly the same
The identical twins were impossible to tell apart.
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Nov 30, 2023
Equal
A person or thing of equal status to others.
We're all equals here.
This beer has no equal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Agreeing in quantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.; having the same magnitude, the same value, the same degree, etc.; - applied to number, degree, quantity, and intensity, and to any subject which admits of them; neither inferior nor superior, greater nor less, better nor worse; corresponding; alike; as, equal quantities of land, water, etc. ; houses of equal size; persons of equal stature or talents; commodities of equal value.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Bearing a suitable relation; of just proportion; having competent power, abilities, or means; adequate; as, he is not equal to the task.
The Scots trusted not their own numbers as equal to fight with the English.
It is not permitted to me to make my commendations equal to your merit.
Whose voice an equal messengerConveyed thy meaning mild.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Evenly balanced; not unduly inclining to either side; characterized by fairness; unbiased; impartial; equitable; just.
Are not my ways equal?
Thee, O Jove, no equal judge I deem.
Nor think it equal to answer deliberate reason with sudden heat and noise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Of the same interest or concern; indifferent.
They who are not disposed to receive them may let them alone or reject them; it is equal to me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Intended for voices of one kind only, either all male or all female; - opposed to mixed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
One not inferior or superior to another; one having the same or a similar age, rank, station, office, talents, strength, or other quality or condition; an equal quantity or number; as, "If equals be taken from equals the remainders are equal."
Those who were once his equals envy and defame him.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
To be or become equal to; to have the same quantity, the same value, the same degree or rank, or the like, with; to be commen urate with.
On me whose all not equals Edward's moiety.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
To make equal return to; to recompense fully.
Who answered all her cares, and equaled all her love.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
To make equal or equal to; to equalize; hence, to compare or regard as equals; to put on equality.
He would not equal the mind that he found in himself to the infinite and incomprehensible.
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Be identical or equivalent to;
One dollar equals 1,000 rubles these days!
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Equal
Be equal to in quality or ability;
Nothing can rival cotton for durability
Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues
Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Make equal, uniform, corresponding, or matching;
Let's equalize the duties among all employees in this office
The company matched the discount policy of its competitors
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Well matched; having the same quantity, value, or measure as another;
On equal terms
All men are equal before the law
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Oct 19, 2023
Equal
Equal in amount or value;
Like amounts
Equivalent amounts
The same amount
Gave one six blows and the other a like number
An equal number
The same number
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does equal mean?
Equal means having the same value, size, or quantity.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can equal apply to opportunities?
Yes, like equal opportunities in employment.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does equal mean the same in all contexts?
It can vary; in math, it's about value, in rights, it's about treatment.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can two things be equal but different?
Yes, they can be equal in one aspect but different in others.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are identical twins truly identical?
They are genetically very similar, but may have slight differences.
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How do you prove things are identical?
By demonstrating no differences in their characteristics.
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Is equal the same as fair?
Often, but fairness can also consider individual needs.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can you have more than two identical items?
Yes, any number of items can be identical if they are exactly the same.
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Nov 30, 2023
What does identical mean?
Identical means being exactly the same in every detail.
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Nov 30, 2023
Do equal rights mean identical treatment?
Not necessarily; it's more about fairness than exact sameness.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can identical things have any differences?
No, identical implies no differences.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can you have equality without fairness?
Not necessarily; fairness often underlies the concept of equality.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is identical used in mathematics?
Yes, for things that are exactly the same.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "identical" used more in formal or informal language?
It's used in both formal and informal contexts.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "equal" used more in mathematics or social contexts?
It's used in both mathematics and social contexts.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can identical items have different purposes?
Yes, identical tools, for example, may be used for different tasks.
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Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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