Equipped vs. Equipt – Which Spelling Is Correct?

When talking about someone’s ability to perform a job, do you say they’re “Equipped” or “Equipt”?

We want to know which spelling is considered correct for this word. Also, we want to know the meaning and proper way to use them, in our speeches. Let’s find out!

Equipped vs. Equipt – Which Spelling Is Correct?

“Equipped” is an adjective that indicates an individual has what’s necessary for a job. “Equipt” is an archaic way to spell this word, which hasn’t been used in a long time. It also can indicate an abbreviation of the word “Equipment”, in rare instances.

You can use the word “Equipped” whenever it’s necessary but should be careful when using the word “Equipt”. We recommend you avoid it if you can.

Take a look at some examples:

• Jack is well equipped for the job.
• Jack is well equipt for the job. (incorrect)

• Anna asked for a list of the equipt we have to buy, asap.
• Anna asked for a list of the equipped we have to buy, asap. (incorrect)

The first set of sentences tells us that Jack is prepared for the job. The correct word to use here is “Equipped”. “Equipt”, as an archaic spelling for this word, may be considered grammatically correct, but it’s certainly not idiomatic.

You risk being misunderstood if you use “Equipt”, so we recommend you use only “Equipped”.

The second set of sentences talks about a list of equipment that needs to be purchased. In that scenario, “Equipt” is an abbreviation of the word equipment, and is considered acceptable to use. It’s uncommon but you can use it.

The word “Equipped”, in this scenario is incorrect and should be avoided.

Equipped

“Equipped” is an adjective that describes someone who has what is necessary to perform a job. This word can be used in connection with all sorts of activities, from work to hobbies, for example. 

The definition found in The Cambridge Dictionary has two parts. It says that “Equipped” is “having the necessary tools, clothes, equipment, etc”. It is also “having the skills needed to do something”.

1. The schools in town are poorly equipped for the new school year.
2. He seems over-equipped for the position.
3. Frank is better equipped than I am for this.
4. Equipped with my textbook and notebook, I began to study.
5. I don’t think she’s equipped to deal with the challenges of university.

Equipt

“Equipt” is an archaic spelling for the word “Equipped”, often not recognized as a word by some dictionaries. It can also be an abbreviation for the word “Equipment”.

Considering this, is “Equipt” a word or not? According to The Cambridge Dictionary, “Equipt” is not a word. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, on the other hand, states that “Equipt” is the past participle of the verb “Equip” and an abbreviation of “Equipment”.

1. Do you feel equipt for the position? (incorrect)
2. Do you feel equipped for the position?

3. Zion is the best equipt to deal with this out of all of us. (incorrect)
4. Zion is the best equipped to deal with this out of all of us.

5. I’m not sure which equipt to buy to assemble the machine.
6. Gabriel has a lot of equipt in his garage, you should ask him.

Keep in mind that, in either context, “Equipt” is rarely used. You’d be better understood if you simply avoided it and preferred to apply words that are more common to people’s daily conversations.

Which Is Used the Most?

Which one of those forms is used more often, “Equipped” or “Equipt”? Take a look at the graph from Google Ngram Viewer below.

“Equipped” is the word that’s used more often. This is what we expected to see, not because “Equipt” is incorrect, but just because it’s either archaic or very uncommon to use.

“Equipt” appears at the very bottom of the graph, rarely used in real conversations.

Final Thoughts

“Equipt” is an archaic spelling of the word “Equipped” – which is correct and means to have what it takes to perform a job or a task. “Equipt” can also be an abbreviation of the word equipment. Although “Equipt” is correct, it’s also very uncommon. In reality, people rarely use it.