adj
equitable
EHK-wih-tuh-buhl
adj
1
Fair and just, especially in treating people according to what they need or deserve.
"The company promised a more equitable distribution of bonuses."
"Reformers pushed for a more equitable tax system."
How to Use Equitable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFair — treating people in a way that's genuinely just, not necessarily identical.
Common mistake
Equitable is not the same as equal — an equitable solution may treat people differently in order to be fair.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
equitable distribution
fair and equitable
equitable treatment
Word Forms
more equitable comparative, most equitable superlative
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The company promised a more _____ distribution of bonuses.
Etymology
From French équitable, from équité ("equity, fairness").