Words / B2

im-BAL-uh-ns/ɪmˈbæləns/

An imbalance is an unequal or unfair proportion: a gender imbalance; an imbalance of power. Balance is the opposite noun (already in the dictionary). An imbalance skewed the comparison. Trade imbalance is economics. Do not use it for a slightly wobbly table.

Meaning

A lack of equal amounts or fair proportions.

Examples

• “An imbalance in the sample skewed the gender comparison.”
• “A trade imbalance widened after the harvest failed, which is the economics sense.”

Good to know

an imbalance of / in; a gender / power / trade imbalance. Opposite: balance. Methods and economics. Unequal weights, not a wobbly desk.

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