Words / B1

in-i-KWOL-uh-tee/ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/

Inequality is an unfair difference in wealth, health, or opportunity: health inequality; income inequality. Equal is related; inequity is a close formal twin. Unequal is the adjective. Reports link health inequality to damp housing.

Meaning

An unfair difference in wealth, health, or opportunity (countable or uncountable).

Examples

• “The report linked health inequality to damp housing.”
• “Pay inequality between sites fuelled the ballot.”

Good to know

health / income / educational inequality. Formal twin: inequity. Adjective: unequal. Public-health / pay reports. Countable or uncountable.

New