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inequality Definition

in·equal·ity (in′ē kwôl′ə tē, -kwäl′-; -in′i-)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. the quality of being unequal; lack of equality
  2. an instance of lack of equality; specif.,
    1. a difference or variation in size, amount, rank, quality, social position, etc.
    2. an unevenness in surface; lack of levelness
    3. a lack of proper proportion; unequal distribution
  3. Math. the relation between two unequal quantities, or an expression of this relationship: Ex.: a ≠ b (a is not equal to b), 3a > 2b (3a is greater than 2b)

Etymology: ME inequalitie < MFr inequalité < L inaequalitas

inequality Synonyms

inequality

n.

disparity, dissimilarity, irregularity, bias; see contrast 1, difference 1, favoritism, imbalance, variation 2.

inequality Usage Examples

Preposition: of

wealth: In such conditions, no public action could succeed in reducing inequality of wealth, for, no public action could be possible.

Converse of object

  • tackle: The government has begun to tackle asset inequality with a radical new type of welfare.
  • reduce: A half-day seminar on reducing health inequalities in Coventry is being held on 28 th March.
  • redress: In this way, the Trust can help redress inequality.
  • exacerbate: Can vouchers be fair, or do they exacerbate existing inequalities?
  • perpetuate: His conclusions, rather than finding support for integration, portrayed it as supporting the existing ethnic division and perpetuating social inequality.
  • widen: This could have the effect of widening health inequalities.

Preposition: in

expectancy: We have created the first Minister for Public Health, whose job it will be to tackle the growing inequalities in life expectancy.

Adjective modifier

  • socio-economic: In the context of Sudan the policies pursued by the ruling northern elite resulted in apparent regional socio-economic inequality with southern Sudan suffering most.
  • glaring: We know that people from black and ethnic minorities face glaring inequalities in the mental health system.
  • racial: What new forms of racial inequalities have developed over the past 40 years?
  • gross: The duty of scientists is to say: ' We have gross inequalities in health in this country.
  • socioeconomic: These services are therefore appropriately targeted to reduce socioeconomic inequalities.
  • stark: But England's schools are still some way from being world-class, and stark inequalities persist.

Noun used with modifier

  • gender: Evidence The Inquiry has considered the evidence on gender inequalities in three ways.
  • health: Yet health inequalities in the UK continue to widen.
  • income: In countries with greater income inequality, health inequality is greater too.
  • wage: And wage inequality increases in the economy without benefits, whereas it remains practically unchanged in the one with benefits.
  • widening: Assets play a crucial role in generating Britain's widening inequality.
  • wealth: Let's have some policies to reduce wealth inequality.