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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• equitability noun
• equitableness noun
• equitably adverb
• nonequitable adjective
• quasi-equitable adjective

Etymology

Origin of equitable

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

Example Sentences

According to Americans for Tax Fairness—a group advocating for equitable tax policies—billionaire wealth alone totaled $4 trillion at the end of 2020.

From Barron's

We’d have to think about what it looks like to produce actually equitable distributions of resources and distributions of burden.

From Salon

We own several small businesses and are trying to determine how to set up a trust that will be equitable for our three adult children.

From MarketWatch

The ADB has long advocated against direct price subsidies, preferring more targeted approaches that preserve fiscal space and are more equitable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Programs such as the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines® help ensure care is fast, effective and equitable.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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