What does equalitarian mean?
An equalitarian is someone who believes that all people should be treated as equals, and 'equalitarian' as an adjective describes anything founded on that belief — an equalitarian society, policy, or movement upholds equal rights and opportunities for all. The word is a legitimate variant of 'egalitarian', which has become the overwhelmingly standard form in contemporary English. Where 'egalitarian' entered English by way of French égalitaire, 'equalitarian' was formed more directly on the Latin root aequalis, meaning level, uniform, or even. In practice, the two words are interchangeable: an equalitarian argues against inherited privilege and hierarchy, favouring fairness in law, wealth, and social standing. The term appears mostly in political, philosophical, and historical writing, and its slightly formal tone suits discussion of doctrines and institutions rather than casual conversation. Readers encountering it today should understand it simply as a rarer synonym of egalitarian, not as a word with a distinct meaning of its own.
Characterised by or supporting the principle that all people are equal and entitled to equal rights and opportunities.
"The constitution embodied an equalitarian vision of citizenship."
Usually replaced by 'egalitarian' in modern writing.
A person who believes in, or actively promotes, the equality of all people.
"A lifelong equalitarian, she devoted her career to expanding voting rights."
Used only in the noun sense referring to people who hold equalitarian beliefs.
"Early equalitarians argued that rank should rest on merit rather than birth."
'Equalitarian' means exactly what 'egalitarian' does — it's just the road less taken, built straight from Latin aequalis, 'level' or 'uniform'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of equalitarian
'Equalitarian' derives from the Latin adjective aequalis ('equal, level, uniform'), itself from aequs (aequus, 'even, fair'), combined with the suffix '-arian'. It arose as an English formation alongside 'egalitarian', which came through French égalitaire from the same Latin root. Both words emerged in the 19th century amid debates over political and social equality, with 'equalitarian' reflecting the Latin spelling more directly. Cognates sharing the aequ- root include 'equality', 'equation', and 'equator'.
How equalitarian is actually used
Register is neutral-to-formal. 'Egalitarian' is strongly preferred in modern usage; choosing 'equalitarian' can read as slightly old-fashioned or deliberately Latinate, since it preserves the Latin root aequalis rather than the French-derived form of 'egalitarian'.
Easily confused with equalitarian
'Egalitarian' is the standard, far more common spelling; 'equalitarian' is an accepted but much rarer variant carrying the same meaning.