unequal

American  

[uhn-ee-kwuhl] / ʌnˈi kwəl /

adjective

1. not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc..

   People are unequal in their capacities.

2. not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually followed byto ).

   strength unequal to the task.

3. not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical.

   an unequal leaf.

4. uneven or variable in character, quality, etc.

5. Obsolete. inequitable; unfair; unjust.

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noun

1. unequals, persons or things not equal to each other.

   a contest between obvious unequals.

unequal British  

/ ʌnˈiːkwəl /

adjective

1. not equal in quantity, size, rank, value, etc

2. (foll by to) inadequate; insufficient

3. not evenly balanced

4. (of character, quality, etc) irregular; varying; inconsistent

5. (of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability

6. obsolete unjust

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Other Word Forms

• subunequal adjective
• subunequally adverb
• subunequalness noun
• unequally adverb
• unequalness noun

Etymology

Origin of unequal

First recorded in 1525–35; un- ¹ + equal

Example Sentences

Aprill defends private equity as an equalizer of sorts in an unequal medical marketplace.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

Ramaphosa, whose country has been ranked by the World Bank as the most unequal on the planet, has said he will bring forward a motion on the IPI at the UN General Assembly.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The race to get into hot AI startups has led to unequal deals for investors, raising questions about how much companies are really worth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

"If you control the water, the relationship immediately becomes unequal."

From BBC • Feb. 8, 2026

I took out another butter and jam sandwich, broke it into four unequal pieces.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Related Words

• disproportionate
• inequitable
• one-sided
• unbalanced
• uneven