inequality
noun OPAL W
/ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti/
/ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːləti/
[uncountable, countable] (plural inequalities)
- the unfair difference between groups of people in society, when some have more wealth, status or opportunities than others
- We need to tackle inequality of opportunity wherever we find it.
- economic inequalities between different areas
- Gender and racial inequality are still widespread throughout society.
Collocations Race and immigrationRace and immigrationPrejudice and racismsee also unequal- experience/encounter racism/discrimination/prejudice/anti-semitism
- face/suffer persecution/discrimination
- fear/escape from/flee racial/political/religious persecution
- constitute/be a form of racial/race discrimination
- reflect/reveal/show/have a racial/cultural bias
- be biased/be prejudiced against (especially British English) black people/(both especially North American English) people of color/African Americans/Asians/Africans/Indians, etc.
- discriminate against minority groups/minorities
- perpetuate/conform to/fit/defy a common/popular/traditional/negative stereotype
- overcome/be blinded by deep-seated/racial/(especially North American English) race prejudice
- entrench/perpetuate racist attitudes
- hurl/shout (especially British English) racist abuse; (especially North American English) a racist/racial/ethnic slur
- challenge/confront racism/discrimination/prejudice
- combat/fight (against)/tackle blatant/overt/covert/subtle/institutional/systemic racism
- damage/improve (especially British English) race relations
- practise (racial/religious) tolerance/segregation
- bridge/break down/transcend cultural/racial barriers
- encourage/promote social integration
- outlaw/end discrimination/slavery/segregation
- promote/embrace/celebrate cultural diversity
- conform to/challenge/violate (accepted/established/prevailing/dominant) social/cultural norms
- live in a multicultural society
- attack/criticize multiculturalism
- fight for/struggle for/promote racial equality
- perpetuate/reinforce economic and social inequality
- introduce/be for/be against (British English) positive discrimination/(especially North American English) affirmative action
- support/be active in/play a leading role in the civil rights movement
- control/restrict/limit/encourage immigration
- attract/draw a wave of immigrants
- assist/welcome refugees
- house/shelter refugees and asylum seekers
- smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK
- deport/repatriate illegal immigrants/failed asylum seekers
- assimilate/integrate new immigrants
- employ/hire migrant workers
- exploit/rely on (cheap/illegal) immigrant labour
- apply for/gain/obtain/be granted/be denied (full) citizenship
- have/hold dual citizenship
Extra ExamplesTopics Social issuesc1- Even in the age of compulsory school, inequalities in education have remained.
- Inequalities of income would lead to even greater inequalities in access to healthcare.
- Many sociologists have regarded education as central in perpetuating inequality.
- Sex inequality in pay reinforces class inequality.
- Some believe that education perpetuates inequality.
- The country has had some success in redressing racial inequalities.
- The introduction of school fees would create inequality between schools.
- The law merely serves to reinforce social inequalities.
- They can build a more harmonious society once inequality and exploitation are removed.
- economic inequality between men and women
- efforts to address class and gender inequalities and to rebalance power
- gender inequality in education
- inequalities based on racism and social class
- inequalities that exist in wealth and income
- the gross social inequalities of the past
- A new pattern of class inequality seems to be emerging.
- Growing inequality and poverty present a huge challenge to international agencies.
- Inequalities in health tend to reflect inequalities in income.
- The aim of universal benefits was to reduce inequality in British society.
- There is generally some inequality between men and women within the family.
- They believe that global inequalities are only increased by global capitalism.
- We need to examine the role of the education system in perpetuating social inequality.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- gross
- substantial
- …
- cause
- create
- lead to
- …
- exist
- arise from something
- be based on something
- …
- inequality between
- inequality in
- inequalities of power, wealth, etc.
- a pattern of inequality
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French inequalite, or from Latin inaequalitas, from in- ‘not’ + aequalis (from aequus ‘even, level, equal’).