egalitarian

American  

[ih-gal-i-tair-ee-uhn] / ɪˌgæl ɪˈtɛər i ən /

adjective

1. asserting, resulting from, or characterized by belief in the equality of all people, especially in political, economic, or social life.

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noun

• egalitarians
  plural

1. a person who adheres to egalitarian beliefs.

egalitarian British  

/ ɪˌɡælɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or upholding the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political, social, and economic equality

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noun

1. an adherent of egalitarian principles

Usage

What does egalitarian mean? Egalitarianism is a social and political philosophy promoting the equal status of all people. Something in line with this principle is described as egalitarian. Someone who espouses this principle of equality can be called an egalitarian. How is egalitarian pronounced?[ ih-gal-i-tair-ee-uhn ]What are other forms of egalitarian?egalitarianismWhat are some other words related to egalitarian?

• democracy
• equality

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• egalitarianism
  noun
• antiegalitarian
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• egalitarians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of egalitarian

First recorded in 1880–85; alteration of equalitarian with French égal replacing equal

Compare meaning

How does egalitarian compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• egalitarian vs. feminism

Explanation

An egalitarian is a person who believes in the equality of all people, and an egalitarian society gives everyone equal rights. This is a word that means something close to equality and has to do with fairness. If you believe that everyone deserves a chance to vote, go to school, get good jobs, and participate in society, then you are an egalitarian. When laws make life fairer, the law is getting more egalitarian. The opposite of an egalitarian system could be a fascist society or dictatorship. Monarchies are not egalitarian. When you see this word, think about equality and freedom.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

egalitarian egalitarians

The problem — and the beauty — of Social Security is that it was conceived as an egalitarian system.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026

That means that the public must have egalitarian, accessible, and effective channels to influence the law and policy that interpret, reflect, and shape constitutional meaning.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

There’s also an egalitarian quality to soccer that other sports lack.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

"Possibly, this is due to their more egalitarian social systems. Bonobos appear to live together in more fluid relationships, with social bonds that transcend group boundaries, something we rarely see in chimpanzees," explains Van Leeuwen.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2026

This egalitarian atmosphere helped to moderate the demanding routine of the average Rad Lab staff member.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

I can honestly say, having worked with him and getting to know him, he is one of the true egalitarians we have in this world.

From Salon ● May 9, 2025

But Masur’s monumental account leaves no doubt that a generation of 19th-century racial egalitarians altered history.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 22, 2021

By categorizing people as lucky or unlucky, she argued, these egalitarians set up a moralizing hierarchy.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 31, 2018

Should such a movement take back feminism — or, as the new egalitarians suggest, give up on the label altogether because of its inherent connotations of advocating for women only?

From Time ● Jul. 24, 2014

There were even a few egalitarians who claimed for all classes a democratic régime.

From The Age of the Reformation by Preserved Smith

Related Words

• democratic
• equitable