inequality

[in-i-kwol-i-tee]

noun

plural

inequalities 

1. the condition of being unequal; lack of equality; disparity.

   inequality of size.

2. 1. social or economic disparity: widening income inequality in America.

      inequality between rich and poor people;

      widening income inequality in America.

   2. unequal opportunity or treatment resulting from this disparity.

      inequality in healthcare and education.

3. disparity or relative inadequacy in natural endowments.

   a startling inequality of intellect, talents, and physical stamina.

4. injustice; favoritism; partiality.

5. unevenness, as of surface.

6. an instance of unevenness.

7. variableness, as of climate.

8. Astronomy.

   1. any component part of the departure from uniformity in astronomical phenomena, especially in orbital motion.

   2. the amount of such a departure.

9. Mathematics.,  a statement that two quantities are unequal, indicated by the symbol ≠; alternatively, by the symbol <, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is less than that following, or by the symbol >, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is greater than that following.

inequality

/ ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unequal; disparity

2. an instance of disparity

3. lack of smoothness or regularity

4. social or economic disparity

5. maths

   1. a statement indicating that the value of one quantity or expression is not equal to another, as in x ≠ y

   2. a relationship between real numbers involving inequality: x may be greater than y, denoted by x > y, or less than y, denoted by x < y

6. astronomy a departure from uniform orbital motion

Word History and Origins

Origin of inequality¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inequalite “unevenness, disparity,” from Old French inequalite, from Latin inaequālitāt- stem of inaequālitās “irregularity, inequity, inconsistency”; in- ³, equality

Example Sentences

Though quick thinking stabilized global markets, the crisis exposed neoliberalism’s core inequality.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In an eerie echo of today, a post-pandemic president promised to restore “real” American values while the country came to blows over racial unrest, shameless disinformation activity, crumbling labor unions, income inequality and censorship.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

California is not exploiting a “loophole,” said Adriana Ramos-Yamamoto, a senior policy analyst at the California Budget & Policy Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that studies inequality.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And while there's regional inequality around the country, a network of 24 colleges is one way to level up or spread the gains.

Read more on BBC

Nutritionists and GPs I spoke to have also expressed concerns about the broader system, and in particular whether existing health inequalities could worsen.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bias 
• difference 
• discrimination 
• disparity 
• diversity 
• injustice 
• unfairness www.thesaurus.com