in ‧ e ‧ qual ‧ i ‧ ty /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti, ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti $ -ˈkwɑː-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural inequalities ) [uncountable and countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ equality ≠ ↑ inequality , ↑ equal , ↑ equalizer ; verb : ↑ equalize , ↑ equal ; adverb : ↑ equally ≠ ↑ unequally ; adjective : ↑ equal ≠ ↑ unequal ]
an unfair situation, in which some groups in society have more money, opportunities, power etc than others OPP equality
inequality in
There are inequalities in wealth distribution.
inequality of
inequality of opportunity
inequality between
inequalities between men and women
social/gender/racial etc inequality
a policy that aims to redress racial inequalities
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ great inequality
Great inequality exists between the rich and the poor.
▪ social inequality
Education can play a large part in reducing social inequality.
▪ racial inequality
The party has promised to fight racial inequality.
▪ economic inequality
There has been an increase in economic inequality between nations.
▪ gender inequality
Gender inequality starts at home and in school.
▪ class inequality (=inequality between social classes)
Class inequality is firmly embedded in our society.
▪ growing/increasing inequality
Income trends are shifting form increasing equality to increasing inequality.
■ verbs
▪ create/cause/result in inequality
Certain economic systems inevitably result in inequality.
▪ increase inequality
Some of the government's policies have actually increased inequalities between men and women.
▪ reduce inequality
Taxes can be used to reduce inequality.