Word
equity
Phoneticseq·ui·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛkwəti/
UK/ˈɛkwɪti/
Definitions
01fairness and justice
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being fair and impartial, making sure everyone has what they need to succeed.
n. the quality of being fair and impartial; justice according to natural law or right, often contrasted with mere equality of treatment.
“The new school policy aims to improve equity by providing extra laptops to students who cannot afford them.”
“The government's commitment to social equity was tested when it had to decide how to distribute healthcare resources across diverse socioeconomic regions.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02value of an asset
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Finance Technical
n. the value of a property or business after you subtract the money owed on it.
n. the residual value of an asset after all liabilities and debts associated with it have been deducted.
“After paying his mortgage for ten years, he had built up a lot of equity in his house.”
“The founders were reluctant to give up more equity in the company, fearing they would lose controlling interest to the venture capitalists.”
Synonyms
03stocks and shares
C1 · Advanced Plural noun Finance Technical
n. shares in a company that people buy as investments.
n. stocks or any other security representing an ownership interest in a company.
“She decided to invest her savings in equities because they usually offer better long-term returns.”
“Market analysts observed a significant shift from bonds to equities as investor confidence in the tech sector began to recover.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04legal system
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a specific set of legal rules used to provide fair results when strict laws are too harsh.
n. a branch of law that developed in the English Court of Chancery to provide remedies where the common law was inadequate.
“The judge looked to the principles of equity to find a fair solution that the written law did not cover.”
“In this jurisdiction, the rules of equity prevail over the common law in cases where there is a direct conflict between the two.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage
Often used with 'in' when referring to financial ownership ('equity in the firm').
Pitfall
the equity of the house
the equity in the house
When referring to the value of an asset, the preposition 'in' is standard.
Real-World Examples
“Education in museums is often used as a tool to advance access and equity, offering unique learning experiences for diverse audiences.” “One way in which Wounaan do so is conscientiously sharing and redistributing food, money, wisdom and the like to foster equity.” “Sarah and Leanne sold their house for a profit four years after moving in, and they put the equity they'd built up toward their next, separate purchases.” “Instead, companies with stronger environmental performance generated higher sales, leading to improved returns on assets and equity.” Idioms
01. sweat equity
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/equity