equitable

[ ek-wi-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair:

   equitable treatment of all citizens.

   Synonyms: unprejudiced, unbiased, objective, impartial, dispassionate, just, fair, evenhanded

   Antonyms: prejudiced, biased, inequitable, unequitable, unjust, unfair

2. Law.
   1. pertaining to or valid in equity.
   2. pertaining to the system of equity, as distinguished from the common law.

equitable

/ ˈɛkwɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. impartial or reasonable; fair; just

   an equitable decision

2. law relating to or valid in equity, as distinct from common law or statute law
3. law (formerly) recognized in a court of equity only, as claims, rights, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈequitableness, noun
• ˈequitably, adverb

Other Words From

• eq·ui·ta·bil·i·ty [ek-wi-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], eq·ui·ta·ble·ness noun
• eq·ui·ta·bly adverb
• non·eq·ui·ta·ble adjective
• qua·si-eq·ui·ta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of equitable¹

First recorded in 1640–50; equit(y) + -able

Word History and Origins

Origin of equitable¹

C17: from French équitable, from équité equity

Example Sentences

Every penguin acts individually, but the end result is an equitable heat distribution for the whole community.

From Quanta Magazine

I don’t think anyone expects the US to send vaccine to Angola before it gets to Arkansas … The real challenge with equitable access is how to make it work.

From MIT Technology Review

Ideally, the Trusts Project would show the world a more equitable way to capture and distribute the true value of personal data.

From MIT Technology Review

These policies are the norm for most cities and represent a more equitable distribution of waste collection.

From Voice of San Diego

I love that my city is leading the country in environmental initiatives, but in order to continue to lead, we must be a leader in the equitable distribution of local clean energy.

From Voice of San Diego

Children in households with more equitable participation of men show better health and development.

From The Daily Beast

Girls raised in households with more equitable fathers show lower rates of unwanted sex.

From The Daily Beast

When the poor have equitable access to voting, they have the ability to vote to support their own economic interests.

From The Daily Beast

This is a prime moment to ask ourselves whether our voting system is yet fully equitable.

From The Daily Beast

“And to her, in what is becoming a more equitable society, that seems like BS,” he told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

Everywhere man is earnestly and sternly demanding an equitable distribution of the productions of nature and art.

From Project Gutenberg

That the tax was reasonable in intention, equitable in incidence, and in itself tolerable, few probably will now deny.

From Project Gutenberg

But let us leave these impotent railers, and attend a little to more equitable judges.

From Project Gutenberg

General sales expense must be distributed, on some equitable basis, over the total sales.

From Project Gutenberg

This important assembly resolved to accept no peace unless based upon equitable terms and secured by ample guarantees.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decent
• fair
• honest
• proper
• reasonable
• stable
• unbiased