unequal

[uhn-ee-kwuhl]

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.

noun

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

   a contest between obvious unequals.

unequal

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of unequal¹

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

Example Sentences

And because the FA is publicly committed to redistribution, there is ultimately no valid justification for maintaining unequal prize funds.

Read more on BBC

But everyone knew that separate also meant unequal.

Read more on Literature

This isn't an "endorsement of an unequal system", they stress, but a recognition that "there is no caste disprivilege without a corresponding privilege accruing to some other caste".

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They further argue that endless time for receipt increases “suspicions of impropriety,” reduces the time to resolve election disputes, and puts voters across the country on unequal election footing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

South Africa, ranked by the World Bank as the world's most unequal country, commissioned an expert team to analyse global wealth inequality and offer solutions to the summit.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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