disparity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a big difference between groups of people, especially when one group has much more money or power than another.
the state of being unequal, particularly regarding socio-economic status, wealth, or opportunity. Often uncountable in this abstract sense.
Simple“There is a huge disparity between the rich and the poor in this city.”
In context“Economists are concerned that the growing wealth disparity could lead to social instability if the government does not intervene.”
UsageOften followed by the preposition 'between' or 'in'.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a difference between two things that should be the same, like two different reports about the same event.
a lack of similarity or equality between two or more facts, figures, or claims. Countable in this sense.
Simple“The accountant found a disparity between the two bank statements.”
In context“The researchers noted a significant disparity in the results of the two trials, suggesting that the initial data may have been compromised.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“The findings also revealed disparities in access to these learning opportunities.”
“Drill down into the detail, however, and the regional disparities are shocking, with the gap between London and the lowest performing areas of the country also at record levels.”
From Middle French disparité, from Latin disparitātem, accusative of disparitās, from dispār + -tās, from dis- + pār. By surface analysis, dis- + parity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.