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equitable

American  
[ek-wi-tuh-buhl] / ˈɛk wɪ tə bəl /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of equitable

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

Explanation

Equitable distribution means everyone gets their fair share of something.If you work on a group project in class, you want an equitable share of the credit. When you look at equitable, you might think you see the word, equal, but it doesn't mean fair in the sense of exactly the same. If you worked ten hours at a lemonade stand and your friend worked five, you'd want an equitable share of the profits rather than an equal share. Equitable would take into account the amount of work you did, equal would not.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But even more important, it reminded us that history is an indispensable tool for shaping the more equitable future we hope to inhabit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

The movement emphasises quality, environmental sustainability and equitable conditions for producers.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

If policymakers instead focus on strengthening insurance coverage and preventing insurers from denying or delaying access to breakthrough treatments, patients could have equitable access to the miracle drugs of today — and tomorrow.

From Salon • May 15, 2026

Their goal is to support more effective and equitable public health policies that account for real-world environmental exposures.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

It had formerly been my endeavour to study all sides of his character: to take the bad with the good; and from the just weighing of both, to form an equitable judgment.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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