inequality

inequality — noun

1. A situation in which some people or groups do not receive the same treatment, ch

1.nounB2
Definition

A situation in which some people or groups do not receive the same treatment, chances, or material benefits as others, usually because the system or social structure is set up in an unfair way.

Example

Sade's school project examined how inequality affects housing prices in different neighbourhoods.

examine + how inequality affects [domain]

Bao noticed the inequality between his old school and the private school across the street.

Common collocations
  • economic inequality
  • social inequality
  • gender inequality
  • racial inequality
  • income inequality
  • wealth inequality
  • growing inequality
  • widening inequality
  • reduce inequality
  • address inequality
  • tackle inequality
  • fight inequality
  • inequality gap
Synonyms
  • disparity

    More neutral and factual; often used in formal or statistical contexts (e.g. income disparity). Does not always carry the moral judgment that inequality implies.

  • imbalance

    Focuses on uneven distribution rather than unfairness; common in discussions of power, representation, or resources.

  • unfairness

    Broader in meaning, covering any unjust situation, not only systemic social differences.

  • discrimination

    Refers specifically to unequal treatment based on group identity (race, gender, age), whereas inequality can also result from broader structural factors.

Antonyms
  • equality

    The direct opposite; a state where everyone has the same rights, opportunities, and status.

  • fairness

    Focuses on just treatment rather than equal outcomes; may allow different treatment for different needs.

  • equity

    Similar to fairness, but emphasises proportional rather than identical distribution of resources.

Grammar Patterns

inequality + between + plural noun phrase

inequality + in + noun/gerund

inequality + of + noun

adjective + inequality

Usage Note

Often preceded by a domain-specific adjective such as economic, social, gender, or racial. The word can be used as an uncountable noun for the general concept (e.g. to fight inequality) or as a countable noun for specific instances (e.g. the inequalities of the healthcare system). Typically followed by between when comparing two groups, or in when specifying a domain.

Common Mistakes

There is a big inequality in size between the two boxes.
There is a big difference in size between the two boxes.
inequality refers to social unfairness, not general differences in measurements or size.
Inequality between the two numbers is 10.
The difference between the two numbers is 10.
in everyday English, inequality describes unfair social conditions, not mathematical gaps.

Word family

  • equal
    adjectiveA2
  • equality
    nounB2
  • unequal
    adjectiveB2
  • inequity
    nounC1
  • unequally
    adverbB2
  • inequitable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Inequality, disparity, imbalance, and discrimination all describe situations where things are not evenly distributed, but they differ in scope and moral weight. Inequality is the broadest term, carrying a clear sense of unfairness — it describes a social condition in which some groups systematically have less money, power, or opportunity than others. Disparity is more neutral and factual; a report on income disparity may simply measure the gap without judging it. Imbalance focuses on uneven distribution of a specific resource (power, representation, funding) and is common in technical or political analysis. Discrimination is narrower and more active — it refers to treating people unfairly because of who they are (their race, gender, age). A country may have income inequality (a measurable gap) caused by discrimination (unfair treatment), which in turn creates an imbalance of political power. For example, 'The study highlighted the growing inequality in urban schools' describes an unfair outcome, while 'Racial discrimination in hiring practices' points to the behaviour that produces it.

inequality ↗disparityimbalancediscrimination ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • reduce inequality
  • address inequality
  • tackle inequality
  • fight inequality
  • grow inequality
  • widen inequality
  • perpetuate inequality
  • a rise in inequality
  • a measure of inequality

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Inequality entered English in the late 1300s from Old French 'inequalité', which came from Latin 'inaequalitas' — formed from 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'aequalitas' meaning 'evenness, equality'. The word was first used to describe differences in size or amount, but by the 1700s it had taken on its modern social meaning of unfair differences between groups of people.