disparity
Americannoun
-
disparities
plural
noun
-
inequality or difference, as in age, rank, wages, etc
-
dissimilarity
Synonym Usage
See difference.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of disparity
First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French desparite, from Late Latin disparitās; equivalent to dis- 1 + parity 1
Explanation
If there is a disparity between how great you think you are at tennis and how you actually play, you are probably surprised by how often you lose. Disparity is the condition of being unequal, and a disparity is a noticeable difference. Disparity usually refers to a difference that is unfair: economic disparities exist among ethnic groups, there is a disparity between what men and women earn in the same job. This noun derives from Latin dispar "unequal." The opposite of disparity is parity, the condition of being equal or the same.
Vocabulary lists containing disparity
Grade 9, List 5
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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This Week in Words: September 29 - October 5, 2018
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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.
See Examples For:
In television interviews, Paxton has noted this disparity and appealed to donors for help.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
Through the settlements, Houck said she hoped Charter would address a disparity in which low-income residents are often stuck with bigger phone and internet bills than residents in more affluent areas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
"Recent 'independent' awards clearly demonstrate a significant disparity of what is accepted as independent for one sector, but not for another," he added.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
In another study using different methods, researchers at Imperial College in London and Indiana University concluded that correcting this disparity would require insurers to hold even more capital.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
A second factor is a corresponding, though less extreme, disparity between sub-Saharan Africa and Eurasia in domesticable plants.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
This dark dramedy exploring class disparities and violence is Rafael Manuel’s directorial debut.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
Communities of color may be particularly affected because of longstanding disparities in homeownership and wealth.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
The median age of a European was 44.9 in 2025, and there are major disparities between EU countries.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
It targets Latino and multi-ethnic areas as part of its declared mission to eliminate disparities in health care access.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Maybe she knew that the disparities of the world had just quietly shown themselves to me for the first time.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
