Disclosed are an equalizer and an equalization method employing an adaptive algorithm for high speed data transmissions. The equalizer includes: a subtraction unit subtracting a feedback signal from an input signal to generate a subtraction signal; a timing signal generation unit generating a sampling timing signal; an equalization signal generation unit equalizing the subtraction signal according to the sampling timing signal to generate an equalization signal; and a feedback signal generation unit calculating a filter coefficient value by using the subtraction signal and the equalization signal, delaying the equalization signal, and weighting the delayed equalization signal according to the filter coefficient value to generate a feedback signal.