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Meaning & use

inequality

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/
US/ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable or uncountable

    An uneven situation in which some people have much more money, power or opportunity than others.

    Grammar: Uncountable in general: inequality is rising; countable for types: inequalities in health.

    Patterns

    • inequality between something and something
    • inequality of something

    Economic inequality has grown in many countries.

    The report studies inequality between rich and poor neighborhoods.

    Gender inequality affects pay and promotion.

  2. nouncountablemathematics

    A statement in mathematics showing that two values are not equal, using signs like < or >.

    Grammar: Countable in math: solve the inequality.

    Patterns

    • solve an inequality

    Students must solve the inequality x + 3 > 7.

    An inequality can have many solutions.

    The teacher drew the inequality on the number line.

Word forms

pluralinequalities

Common combinations

income inequality
Income inequality is a key issue in the election.
social inequality
The novel explores social inequality in the 1800s.
reduce inequality
New policies aim to reduce inequality.
gender inequality
Gender inequality remains a concern in many workplaces.
growing inequality
Growing inequality worries the economists.

Synonyms and how they differ

disparity
Disparity focuses on a measurable gap between two things, while inequality names the unfair situation overall.
imbalance
Imbalance is a milder, more general word for uneven amounts, without a moral hint.
unfairness
Unfairness is a general feeling or judgment, while inequality often refers to measurable social differences.
discrimination
Discrimination is the act of treating groups differently, whereas inequality is the resulting condition.

Opposites

equalityfairness

Word family

unequal adjective
not the same in size, amount or fairness
equality noun
the state of being equal
equal adjective
the same in amount or status
unequally adverb
in a way that is not equal

Commonly confused: inequality or inequity?

inequality vs inequity

Inequity means unfairness in how people are treated, and it is a more formal word that is less common than inequality.

Practice

Economists warn that rising ______ between rich and poor could harm society.

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