equip

¹

[ih-kwip]

verb (used with object)

equipped, equipping 

1. to supply with whatever gear or apparatus is needed for use or for any undertaking; fit out, as a ship or army.

   They spent several thousand dollars to equip their boat.

   Synonyms: rig, outfit

2. to provide with intellectual or emotional resources; prepare.

   Education and travel have equipped her to deal with all sorts of people.

3. to dress; array.

   He equipped himself in all his finery.

equip.

²

abbreviation

1. equipment.

equip

/ ɪˈkwɪp /

verb

1. to furnish with (necessary supplies, etc)

2. (usually passive) to provide with abilities, understanding, etc

   her son was never equipped to be a scholar

3. to dress out; attire

Other Word Forms

• equipper noun
• preequip verb (used with object)
• reequip verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of equip¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Middle French equiper, Old French esquiper “to fit out, equip,” probably from Old Norse skipa “to put in order, arrange, man (a ship)”

Word History and Origins

Origin of equip¹

C16: from Old French eschiper to embark, fit out (a ship), of Germanic origin; compare Old Norse skipa to put in order, skip ship

Synonym Study

See furnish.

Example Sentences

Suddenly he is functionally better equipped to survive than the humans who brought him along.

From Salon

Like all the rooms, it was also equipped with an outdoor fire pit and a comfortable cushion for stargazing.

From Los Angeles Times

We emerge into a clearing where a 12ft high border fence appears, topped with barbed wire, equipped with sensors and cameras to detect illegal crossings.

From BBC

The park has been equipped with wider slides so that parents can accompany their children, but Ms Adey considers these problematic.

From BBC

Just one Chuck’s Arcade, he says, is equipped to serve beer, wings and pizza, and it’s in Kansas City, Mo.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adorn 
• arm 
• deck out 
• decorate 
• dress 
• endow 
• furnish 
• gear 
• prepare 
• provide 
• qualify 
• rig 
• set up 
• supply