equality
ih-KWOL-ih-tee
Equality (noun) means the state of being equal, especially in rights, status, or opportunities. Example: “The movement fought for equality between men and women in the workplace.”
noun
1
The state of being equal, especially in rights, status, or opportunities.
"The movement fought for equality between men and women in the workplace."
"True equality means everyone has the same chance to succeed."
"Our school teaches children that equality matters in every classroom and playground."
How to use equality
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEveryone being treated the same and having the same rights.
Common mistake
Equality means everyone gets the same treatment; equity means everyone gets what they specifically need to reach the same outcome — the two are related but not identical.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gender equality
racial equality
fight for equality
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Word forms
- Plural
- equalities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The movement fought for _____ between men and women in the workplace.
Etymology
From Latin aequalitas, "evenness, equality," from aequalis ("equal").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for equality
See all rhymes for equality →Frequently asked questions
What does “equality” mean?
The word “equality” means the state of being equal, especially in rights, status, or opportunities. In plain terms, everyone being treated the same and having the same rights.
How do you pronounce “equality”?
“Equality” is pronounced ih-KWOL-ih-tee (/ɪˈkwɑ.lɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “equality” in a sentence?
Here is “equality” used in a sentence: “The movement fought for equality between men and women in the workplace.”
What is another word for “equality”?
Words with a similar meaning to “equality” include egality, equation, evenness, par and sameness.
What is the opposite of “equality”?
The opposite of “equality” — its antonyms — are difference, inequality, discrimination, nonequivalence and pecking order.
What part of speech is “equality”?
“Equality” is a noun.
Where does the word “equality” come from?
The word “equality” comes from Latin. From Latin aequalitas, "evenness, equality," from aequalis ("equal").
Is “equality” a common word?
“Equality” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'equality' and 'equity'?
'Equality' means treating everyone the same, giving them identical rights, status, or resources. 'Equity' means fairness that takes different needs into account, sometimes giving people different support to reach a fair outcome. Equality is about sameness, while equity is about adjusting for circumstances.
What is the difference between 'equality' and 'equability'?
Despite the similar spelling, these words are unrelated in meaning. 'Equality' is the state of being equal in rights, status, or opportunities. 'Equability' refers to calmness and evenness of temper. Only 'equality' concerns fairness between people.
What is the difference between 'equality' and 'diversity'?
'Equality' means ensuring people have equal rights, status, and opportunities. 'Diversity' means including a range of different people, backgrounds, and perspectives. They are often paired, but equality is about fair treatment while diversity is about variety.
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