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

But it limped off with two wins, a disparity made harsher by controversies that had hurt the film’s chances, starting with resurfaced tweets from transgender cast member Karla Sofía Gascón, a best actress nominee.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 14, 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

Dobyns was struck by the disparity between the large number of burials recorded at the parish and the far smaller number of baptisms.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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