What does inequality mean?
Inequality means that people, groups, opportunities, resources, or outcomes are not equal. In everyday social and political usage, the word often describes persistent disparities in wealth, income, education, healthcare, employment, or access to opportunity, and it commonly carries a critical or reformist implication because unequal treatment may be considered unfair. Inequality can also have a precise mathematical meaning: a statement or relationship showing that two quantities or expressions are not equal. The word comes from Latin roots meaning “not equal” and is related to English words such as equity, equitable, equate, and equator. Because inequality describes differences that can affect lives and communities, it is especially useful in discussions of fairness, social policy, and economic organization, while its mathematical use provides a familiar contrast to equality.
nounA state or condition in which people, groups, opportunities, resources, or outcomes are not equal. In mathematics, it is a statement that two expressions or quantities are not equal.
- A state or condition of unequal treatment, opportunity, income, resources, or outcomes, especially between individuals or social groups.
- A mathematical statement or relationship in which two expressions or quantities are not equal.
"The report highlighted the persistent inequality in access to education between wealthy and low-income communities."
"Reducing inequality requires access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities."
"The inequality x > 2 means that x is greater than 2."
Use the plural when referring to multiple disparities, inequalities, or mathematical relations.
"The study compared inequalities in wages, education, and healthcare access."
Inequality is the gap between what people have and what they need—and it can shape a society long before anyone uses the word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inequality come from?
Inequality was formed in English from the prefix in-, meaning “not,” and an element related to equality, ultimately deriving from Latin aequus, meaning “equal” or “level.” The noun entered English in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of a lack of equality and later developing mathematical uses as well. Its relatives—including equity, equitable, equate, and equator—preserve the same Latin root associated with equality, balancing, and levelness.
Related word forms
How inequality is actually used
In social and political contexts, the word is usually formal and commonly refers to structured disparities affecting groups or populations. In mathematics, it denotes a comparison between quantities or expressions that are not equal.
Easily confused with inequality
Inequality can describe any unequal condition or relationship, whereas inequity more specifically emphasizes unfairness or injustice.