equitable

American  

[ek-wi-tuh-buhl] / ˈɛk wɪ tə bəl /

adjective

1. characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair.

   equitable treatment of all citizens.

   Synonyms:

   unprejudiced, unbiased, objective, impartial, dispassionate, just, fair, evenhanded

   Antonyms:

   prejudiced, biased, inequitable, unequitable, unjust, unfair

2. Law.

   1. pertaining to or valid in equity.

   2. pertaining to the system of equity, as distinguished from the common law.

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equitable British  

/ ˈɛkwɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. impartial or reasonable; fair; just

   an equitable decision

2. law relating to or valid in equity, as distinct from common law or statute law

3. law (formerly) recognized in a court of equity only, as claims, rights, etc

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Other Word Forms

• equitability noun
• equitableness noun
• equitably adverb
• nonequitable adjective
• quasi-equitable adjective

Etymology

Origin of equitable

First recorded in 1640–50; equit(y) + -able

Example Sentences

We’d have to think about what it looks like to produce actually equitable distributions of resources and distributions of burden.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

My husband and I are looking to create a trust with an equitable division of assets upon our deaths.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 6, 2026

The ADB has long advocated against direct price subsidies, preferring more targeted approaches that preserve fiscal space and are more equitable.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the UN nuclear watchdog chief on Monday, saying in a post on X he was in Geneva to "achieve a fair and equitable deal".

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

We advocated the redivision of land on an equitable basis; the abolition of color bars prohibiting Africans from doing skilled work; and the need for free and compulsory education.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• decent
• fair
• honest
• proper
• reasonable
• stable
• unbiased