inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 

1

: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as

a

: social disparity

economic/racial/gender inequality

b

: disparity of distribution or opportunity

inequality of income/employment/education

c

: lack of evenness

hampered by the inequality of the ground

d

: the condition of being variable : changeableness

2

: an instance of being unequal

3

: a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)

Examples of inequality in a Sentence

They discussed the problem of inequality between students.

He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.

He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nkilumbo cited decades of authoritarian governments and an economic inequality that has left millions in poverty despite Angola’s oil, diamonds and other resources. —ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

How to Watch ‘Beef’ Season 2 Like its first season, Beef continues to explore themes of class, gender and racial inequality, along with emotional control and interpersonal conflict — all filtered through the lens of a single moment that refuses to stay contained. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026

Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Laureate economist and Columbia University professor, described a global crisis with wealth inequality. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

His career aspiration is to become a doctor who focuses on inequalities within healthcare and research. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inequalite, from Latin inaequalitat-, inaequalitas, from inaequalis unequal, from in- + aequalis equal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inequality

• triangle inequality

Rhymes for inequality

• causality
• equality
• frivolity
• sodality
• jollity
• polity
• quality

Kids Definition

inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌin-i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē 

plural inequalities

1

: the quality of being unequal

2

: an instance of being unequal (as an irregularity in a surface)

3

: a statement in mathematics or logic that two quantities usually separated by a special sign (as <, >, or ≠ respectively meaning "is less than," "is greater than," or "is not equal to") are not equal