Words / B2

EKW-uh-tee/ˈekwəti/

Equity is fairness in the way people are treated; also the value of shares, or of a house minus the mortgage (often uncountable): equity of treatment; negative equity. Equality is sameness of rights (already in the dictionary); fairness is the everyday twin; shares are the finance twin. Equity in the Act is fairness of treatment; negative equity still needs the £ figures. Mix-up: equity vs equality; equation; do not write equity for a slogan “fair” with no statute or £.

Meaning

Fairness in the way people are treated; also the value of shares, or of a house minus the mortgage (often uncountable).

Examples

• “Equity in the Act is fairness of treatment; negative equity still needs the £ figures, the economics paper said.”
• “Shareholders’ equity featured in the accounts, which is the finance sense — still quote the £ line.”

Good to know

equity of treatment; private equity; negative equity; shareholders’ equity. Close: fairness / equality (related, not identical). Trap: equation. Citizenship, economics, and accounts. Fairness, share value, or house value minus debt — specify and quote the £ or the Act.

Near in meaning

fairness, shares, justice

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