2 syllables: e, quals. Stress on e.
EE-kwuhlz
/ˈikwəlz/
equals is pronounced EE-kwuhlz (/ˈikwəlz/). It has two syllables (e-quals), with the stress on "e". Equals is a verb (third person singular present) and a noun meaning a value or quantity that is the same as another. In mathematics and logic, it denotes equivalence between two expressions. In everyday use, it functions as a linking verb showing sameness or identity across ideas, comparisons, or statements.
Equals is a verb (third person singular present) and a noun meaning a value or quantity that is the same as another. In mathematics and logic, it denotes equivalence between two expressions. In everyday use, it functions as a linking verb showing sameness or identity across ideas, comparisons, or statements.
"The two numbers equals five when you multiply them by the same factor."
"In math, 2 + 3 equals 5."
"Make sure both sides of the equation are equal; otherwise, you have a mistake."
Say /ˈiː.kwəlz/. The first syllable carries the primary stress. Start with a long E sound as in 'see', move to a short ‘kw’ blend, then a schwa-ish middle vowel, and finally a voiced z. In rapid speech, you may hear a reduced vowel in the second syllable, but the stress stays on the first. Tip: keep the tongue high for /iː/, then glide into /kw/ with a rounded lip position, and end with a clear /z/ with the vocal cords vibrating.
Common errors include misplacing stress (shifting to second syllable), pronouncing /kw/ as /k/ or /tw/ (you want /kw/ as a single onset), and producing a voiceless /s/ instead of /z/ at the end. To correct: keep the /ˈiː/ long, blend into /kw/ smoothly so the /w/ isn’t separate, and finish with a voiced /z/ with gentle vocal cord vibration. Practice with a mirror so your lips produce a rounded /k w/ cluster correctly and your tongue doesn’t bite back toward the alveolar cluster.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /ˈiː/ and the /kw/ cluster are consistent, but rhotics and vowel coloring vary. US and AU typically maintain a rhotic /r/ in connected speech only when followed by a vowel, which can slightly color the vowel quality; the /l/ is light but clear in all. UK tends toward crisper final consonant with slightly drier vowel quality and less length on the first vowel in careful speech. In casual UK, the final /z/ can be devoiced to /s/ in some sociolects, though standard pronunciation keeps /z/.
The difficulty lies in the vowel duration of /iː/ followed by the tricky /kw/ onset, and the transition into a voiced /z/ without an intrusive pause. Learners often mispronounce the /kw/ as two separate sounds or reduce the vowel too quickly, turning it into /iː.kwəl/ or /ɪ.kwəlz/. Focus on a smooth, rounded lip rounding for /kw/ and keep the vocal cords engaged for /z/. Practicing with minimal pairs can lock in the correct onset and final obstruent voicing.
Equals has no silent letters; the challenge is not silent letters but the rhythm and voicing of the final /z/. The emphasis is on the first syllable, with a clear /iː/ and a seamless /kw/ cluster leading into a voiced /z/. Unlike some words with subtle final consonant voices, you should actively voice the final /z/ to avoid a whispered ending. Keep the jaw relaxed but engaged, and ensure the tip of the tongue lightly taps the alveolar ridge for the final /z/.
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Equals comes from the Latin word aequālis, meaning ‘level, equal, even’. The stem aequ- means ‘equal’ and is related to the Greek isos, which appears in words like isosceles. In Latin, aequālis functioned as an adjective meaning ‘equal, level, even,’ often used in arithmetic and geometry contexts. Through Medieval Latin and early Romance languages, the form evolved into the Old French egale and later the Middle English egalle, ultimately becoming equals in English by the 15th century as a third-person singular present of the verb “to equal.” The mathematical sense of equality—signifying that two expressions denote the same quantity—expanded in use with algebraic notation and formal logic. Today, “equals” appears as both a verb form (he equals) and a noun sense in casual speech to indicate equivalence or identity in statements and comparisons.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "equals" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "equals" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "equals"
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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