inequality

[in-i-kwol-i-tee]

noun

plural

inequalities 

1. the condition of being unequal; lack of equality; disparity.

   inequality of size.

2. 1. social or economic disparity: widening income inequality in America.

      inequality between rich and poor people;

      widening income inequality in America.

   2. unequal opportunity or treatment resulting from this disparity.

      inequality in healthcare and education.

3. disparity or relative inadequacy in natural endowments.

   a startling inequality of intellect, talents, and physical stamina.

4. injustice; favoritism; partiality.

5. unevenness, as of surface.

6. an instance of unevenness.

7. variableness, as of climate.

8. Astronomy.

   1. any component part of the departure from uniformity in astronomical phenomena, especially in orbital motion.

   2. the amount of such a departure.

9. Mathematics.,  a statement that two quantities are unequal, indicated by the symbol ≠; alternatively, by the symbol <, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is less than that following, or by the symbol >, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is greater than that following.

inequality

/ ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unequal; disparity

2. an instance of disparity

3. lack of smoothness or regularity

4. social or economic disparity

5. maths

   1. a statement indicating that the value of one quantity or expression is not equal to another, as in x ≠ y

   2. a relationship between real numbers involving inequality: x may be greater than y, denoted by x > y, or less than y, denoted by x < y

6. astronomy a departure from uniform orbital motion

Word History and Origins

Origin of inequality¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inequalite “unevenness, disparity,” from Old French inequalite, from Latin inaequālitāt- stem of inaequālitās “irregularity, inequity, inconsistency”; in- ³, equality

Example Sentences

Luxury companies need a certain amount of wealth inequality to thrive by giving consumers something to aspire to.

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According to Frye, tackling inequalities was essential to ensure the good functioning of democracy.

Read more on Barron's

The G20 summit, which was for the first time held in Africa, ended with a joint declaration committing to "multilateral co-operation" on climate change mitigation and economic inequality.

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People living in cities faced higher exposure to infectious diseases that spread easily in crowds, greater competition for land and essential resources and increasing inequality.

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"What we really need is more economic effort for this problem…to overcome the problems of inequality in Italy."

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Related Words

• bias 
• difference 
• discrimination 
• disparity 
• diversity 
• injustice 
• unfairness www.thesaurus.com