adj
Uncommon
unequal
uhn-EEK-wuhl
Unequal (adj) means not the same in size, amount, value, or status. Example: “The two teams started the match on unequal footing.”
adj
1
Not the same in size, amount, value, or status.
"The two teams started the match on unequal footing."
"Wealth is distributed very unequally across the country."
2
Not having the necessary strength, skill, or resources for a task.
"He felt unequal to the challenge of running the company alone."
How to use unequal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot the same as something else, or not up to a task.
Common pairings
unequal treatment
unequal footing
unequal to the task
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Word forms
- Plural
- unequals
- Comparative
- more unequal
- Superlative
- most unequal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two teams started the match on _____ footing.
Etymology
From Middle English unequale, from un- ("not") plus equal.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unequal
See all rhymes for unequal →Frequently asked questions
What does “unequal” mean?
The word “unequal” means not the same in size, amount, value, or status. In plain terms, not the same as something else, or not up to a task.
How do you pronounce “unequal”?
“Unequal” is pronounced uhn-EEK-wuhl (/ʌnˈiːkwəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unequal” in a sentence?
Here is “unequal” used in a sentence: “The two teams started the match on unequal footing.”
What is another word for “unequal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “unequal” include disparate and uneven.
What is the opposite of “unequal”?
The opposite of “unequal” — its antonyms — is equal.
What part of speech is “unequal”?
“Unequal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unequal” come from?
The word “unequal” comes from Middle English. From Middle English unequale, from un- ("not") plus equal.
Is “unequal” a common word?
“Unequal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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