adjective
C2
Proficient
egalitarian
i-gal-i-TAIR-ee-uhn
Egalitarian (adjective) means Based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities. Example: “They founded the school on strictly egalitarian lines.”
adjective
1
Based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.
"They founded the school on strictly egalitarian lines."
"Nordic countries are often held up as egalitarian societies."
noun
1
A person who believes that everyone should be treated as equals and have the same rights.
"As a lifelong egalitarian, she refused any title."
How to use egalitarian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBelieving everyone should be treated as equals.
When to use it
Formal; common in political and social commentary.
Memory tip
The noun for the belief itself is egalitarianism: 'her egalitarianism showed in how she ran the office'.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
egalitarian society
deeply egalitarian
egalitarian principles
egalitarian ideal
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They founded the school on strictly _____ lines.
Etymology
From French égalitaire, from égal 'equal', from Latin aequalis.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for egalitarian
See all rhymes for egalitarian →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between egalitarian and socialist?
Egalitarian names a goal — equality of worth, rights or outcomes — without saying how to reach it. Socialism is one specific programme for getting there, based on collective ownership. You can be an egalitarian and reject socialism entirely.
Does egalitarian mean everyone gets the same?
Not necessarily. Egalitarians differ over what should be equalised: some argue for equal opportunity and equal treatment under the law, others for a more equal distribution of income or wealth. The shared commitment is equal moral standing, not identical outcomes.
How do you pronounce egalitarian?
i-gal-i-TAIR-ee-uhn, with the main stress on 'tair'. The opening is a short unstressed 'i', as in 'again', not a long 'ee'.
What is the meaning of egalitarian?
"egalitarian" (adjective) means based on the principle that all people are of equal worth and should have equal rights and opportunities.
