a difference or variation in size, amount, rank, quality, social position, etc.
b.
an unevenness in surface; lack of levelness
c.
a lack of proper proportion; unequal distribution
3. Ancient Mathematics
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)
Word origin
ME inequalitie < MFr inequalité < L inaequalitas
Examples of 'inequality' in a sentence
inequality
The real inequality in Britain is not between rich and poor but between young and old.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was focused not just on inequalities in income and earnings, but also inequality in wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Fairness matters - but for him it is less about income inequality than the actions of a wealthy elite.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In fact, the cities that have the most innovative and creative economies often have the worst social and economic inequality.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The rise of populism is not only a product of our economic divide, it’s a product of a growing social inequality.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The real solution to inequality lies elsewhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But a difference and an inequality are not necessarily the same things.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
What is true of the inequality of wealth also holds for income inequality.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Here were the origins of international economic inequality.
Ramirez-Faria, Carlos The Origins of Economic Inequality between Nations: A critique of Western theorieson development and underdevelopment (1990)
There is overwhelming evidence of a link between economic inequality and social disadvantage.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This led to great racial inequality within the church hierarchy.
Christianity Today (2000)
He wanted to remove inequalities in education by imposing one standard on all schools.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So he hoped to attack inequality of opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Five of the studies examine the effects of economic dependence on economic inequality.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Reducing social inequality and promoting diversity in education have been government aims for many years.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The years of segregation and racial inequality have now passed.
The Sun (2009)
And that means narrowing the gap and tackling the continuing inequality in our education system.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He used the opportunity to decry inequality.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is enforced by the price system and inequality of wealth and income.
Low, Nicholas Politics, Planning and the State (1990)
Capitalism leads to social inequalities and social injustices which governments have the responsibility to correct.
Thackrah, J. R. Twentieth Century History - Basic Facts (1985)
Band and tribal societies are egalitarian societies in which the only real inequalities are those of status and influence.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
The party bureaucracy has the power to make policies that directly determine the nature and extent of economic inequalities.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Racial inequality may be contributing to the problem, too.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Indeed, inequality of character may now be as important as inequality of economic resources.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
As against this, it is evident that housing processes do introduce real inequalities.
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
For example, a sociological theory about inequality may hold that gender discrimination accounts for at least part of the income differences between men and women.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
One is to regard housing inequalities and differences as simple reflections of other inequalities (in class or employment or occupation or income).
Forrest, Ray & Murie, Alan & Williams, Peter Home-ownership - differentiation and fragmentation (1990)
Quotations
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than othersGeorge OrwellAnimal Farm
Whatever may be the general endeavor of a community to render its members equal and alike, the personal pride of individuals will always seek to rise above the line, and to form somewhere an inequality to their own advantageAlexis de TocquevilleDemocracy in America
In other languages
inequality
British English: inequality NOUN
Inequality is the difference in social status, wealth, or opportunity between people or groups.
People are concerned about social inequality.
American English: inequality
Brazilian Portuguese: desigualdade
Chinese: 不平等
European Spanish: desigualdad
French: inégalité
German: Ungleichheit
Italian: disuguaglianza
Japanese: 不平等
Korean: 불평등
European Portuguese: desigualdade
Latin American Spanish: desigualdad
All related terms of 'inequality'
income inequality
a situation in which there is great disparity in income within a society
Schwarz inequality
the theorem that the inner product of two vectors is less than or equal to the product of the magnitudes of the vectors
Chebyshev's inequality
the fundamental theorem that the probability that a random variable differs from its mean by more than k standard deviations is less than or equal to 1/ k 2
triangle inequality
the theorem that the absolute value of the sum of two quantities is less than or equal to the sum of the absolute values of the quantities
Tchebychev's inequality
the fundamental theorem that the probability that a random variable differs from its mean by more than k standard deviations is less than or equal to 1/ k 2
Chinese translation of 'inequality'
inequality
(ɪnɪˈkwɔlɪtɪ)
n(c/u)
不平等 (bù píngděng)
(noun)
Definition
an instance of this
corruption and social inequality
Synonyms
disparity
economic disparities between countries
prejudice
difference
the vast difference in size
bias
diversity
irregularity
unevenness
lack of balance
disproportion
There is a disproportion in resources available.
imparity
preferentiality
Quotations
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others [George Orwell – Animal Farm]Whatever may be the general endeavor of a community to render its members equal and alike, the personal pride of individuals will always seek to rise above the line, and to form somewhere an inequality to their own advantage [Alexis de Tocqueville – Democracy in America]