disparity

American  

[dih-spar-i-tee] / dɪˈspær ɪ ti /

noun

plural

disparities

1. lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference.

   a disparity in age; disparity in rank.

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disparity British  

/ dɪˈspærɪtɪ /

noun

1. inequality or difference, as in age, rank, wages, etc

2. dissimilarity

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Related Words

See difference.

Other Word Forms

• nondisparity noun

Etymology

Origin of disparity

First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French desparite, from Late Latin disparitās; equivalent to dis- ¹ + parity ¹

Example Sentences

Overall, 21 of England's 38 wickets have fallen to spin - not a major disparity to the 17 against pace - but more significant have been the moments those dismissals have come.

From BBC

Set in Chen's native Singapore, the film is a moving family drama which playfully satirises the yawning social disparities to be found in the city-state's glittering skyscrapers.

From Barron's

A Black student from in-state criticized admissions based on test scores and GPAs for different reasons; given sharp disparities in secondary schools and family resources, some kids were already at a disadvantage.

From The Wall Street Journal

The disparity between the two names reached its most extreme point in 10 years on Feb. 3, when Microsoft’s stock traded at a staggering 6.8-point discount to Alphabet’s.

From MarketWatch

Bill Shaikin’s Feb. 10 column has it partially right: A salary cap and/or floor won’t automatically correct baseball’s financial disparities.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• difference
• discrepancy
• distinction
• divergence
• gap
• imbalance
• inequality
• variation