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

Through paintings, prints, and installations, Endaya’s work examines the social struggles in her native Philippines, from gender and labor inequality to migration and globalization, to name a few. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

The latter is striking, given that the novel takes place between two financial crises that worsen economic inequality. — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026

Educators and policymakers have also spent several decades focused on correcting historical gender inequalities that held back girls. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

There are many factors that contribute to violence against women in Mexico, experts say, including gender inequality, pervasive sexist tropes and a high rate of impunity for killing women. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 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