disparity

American

[dih-spar-i-tee] / dɪˈspær ɪ ti /

noun

plural

disparities

lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference.

a disparity in age; disparity in rank.

disparity British

/ dɪˈspærɪtɪ /

noun

inequality or difference, as in age, rank, wages, etc
dissimilarity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the owners, Walter included, are increasingly united in the belief that revenue disparity is the primary explanation why a small-market team has not won the World Series in 11 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

"There's still a big disparity, which is frustrating, but it is getting better. Just not the rate that I think that it should be."

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Booker and Van Hollen’s bills could heighten that disparity, said Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the think tank.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 12, 2026

But calls to do something about the disparity are growing.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Other studies show different numbers, but the same trend—a big disparity that opened over their lifetimes.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023