What does egalitarian mean?
An egalitarian is a person who believes that all people are fundamentally equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities, while egalitarian as an adjective describes anything founded on that belief — institutions, societies, laws, or attitudes. The word entered English from the French égalité ('equality'), ultimately rooted in Latin aequus ('even' or 'fair'), which also gives us words like equity and adequate. Egalitarian appears most often in discussions of politics, economics, and social justice: one might praise a nation's egalitarian welfare system, criticize an organization's hierarchical culture as insufficiently egalitarian, or describe oneself simply as an egalitarian by conviction. The term carries broadly positive connotations, signaling fairness, openness, and opposition to privilege based on birth, wealth, or status. Its noun form egalitarianism names the broader philosophical and political doctrine. Because debates over equality shape so much public discourse, egalitarian remains one of the most useful and frequently encountered terms in contemporary English.
Relating to or upholding the principle that all people are equal and merit equal rights and opportunities.
"The university adopted a more egalitarian admissions policy aimed at widening access."
Most frequently used to describe societies, systems, institutions, or principles.
A person who advocates or believes in the equal standing of all people.
"A lifelong egalitarian, he devoted his career to labor reform."
Less common than the adjectival use but fully established.
Used when referring to multiple individuals who hold egalitarian beliefs.
"The early egalitarians pushed for reforms that would reshape the nation's voting laws."
The word egalitarian comes from the French égalité — the same 'equality' that rang through the French Revolution's cry of 'liberté, égalité, fraternité'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of egalitarian
Egalitarian derives from the French égalitaire, built on égalité ('equality'), which itself traces back to Latin aequalitas, from aequus meaning 'even, level, fair.' The word emerged in English in the late nineteenth century, during a period of intense debate about social and political reform. It shares this Latin root with related terms such as equity, equality, and adequate, all carrying the core sense of evenness or fairness.
Related word forms
How egalitarian is actually used
Egalitarian carries strongly positive connotations in most political and social contexts, though it can be used critically (e.g. accusing policies of enforcing an 'excessive' egalitarianism). It belongs chiefly to formal, academic, political, and sociological registers rather than casual speech.
Easily confused with egalitarian
Equalitarian is an older variant of the same word; both mean advocating human equality, but egalitarian is the standard modern form.
Equitarian relates to horses or horseback riding (from Latin equus), whereas egalitarian relates to human equality.