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

Meanwhile, economists have described the U.S. economy as “K-shaped,” illustrating the disparity between the rich who have more money to spend and the poor who are more cautious about their finances.

From Los Angeles Times

She added, "Ensuring equitable cancer outcomes globally will require greater efforts to reduce disparities in health service delivery such as access to accurate and timely diagnosis, and quality treatment and supportive care."

From Science Daily

There’s an almost 10-year age difference between you and this gentleman, which may exacerbate the financial disparity between you.

From MarketWatch

There’s an almost 10-year age difference between you and this gentleman, which may exacerbate the financial disparity between you.

From MarketWatch

As with many natural disasters, the fires brought to life the wealth disparities in California, especially in the pricey Los Angeles area.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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