egalitarian

American  

[ih-gal-i-tair-ee-uhn] / ɪˌgæl ɪˈtɛər i ən /

adjective

1. asserting, resulting from, or characterized by belief in the equality of all people, especially in political, economic, or social life.

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noun

1. a person who adheres to egalitarian beliefs.

egalitarian British  

/ ɪˌɡælɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or upholding the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political, social, and economic equality

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noun

1. an adherent of egalitarian principles

Usage

What does egalitarian mean? Egalitarianism is a social and political philosophy promoting the equal status of all people. Something in line with this principle is described as egalitarian. Someone who espouses this principle of equality can be called an egalitarian. How is egalitarian pronounced?[ ih-gal-i-tair-ee-uhn ]What are other forms of egalitarian?egalitarianismWhat are some other words related to egalitarian?

• democracy
• equality

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antiegalitarian
  adjective
• egalitarianism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of egalitarian

First recorded in 1880–85; alteration of equalitarian with French égal replacing equal

Compare meaning

How does egalitarian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• egalitarian vs. feminism

Explanation

An egalitarian is a person who believes in the equality of all people, and an egalitarian society gives everyone equal rights. This is a word that means something close to equality and has to do with fairness. If you believe that everyone deserves a chance to vote, go to school, get good jobs, and participate in society, then you are an egalitarian. When laws make life fairer, the law is getting more egalitarian. The opposite of an egalitarian system could be a fascist society or dictatorship. Monarchies are not egalitarian. When you see this word, think about equality and freedom.

Example Sentences

There’s also an egalitarian quality to soccer that other sports lack.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

Bonobos distributed their grooming time more evenly among group members, creating a more egalitarian social network.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

Inequality is soaring in this traditionally egalitarian country.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

In many ways, “Battlestar” is an idealized version of what a multicultural, egalitarian society can look like – if not here, then perhaps on some distant planet.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

How could these hierarchical, acquisitive, market-oriented, monotheistic, ethnocentric newcomers have absorbed ideas and customs from the egalitarian, reciprocal, noncapitalistic, pantheistic, ethnocentric natives?

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• democratic
• equitable