English Reference
noun

equity

n.
US /ˈɛkwəti/ UK /ˈɛkwɪti/ eq·ui·ty UK spelling equities

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of being fair and impartial, making sure everyone has what they need to succeed.

    the quality of being fair and impartial; justice according to natural law or right, often contrasted with mere equality of treatment.

    Simple

    The new school policy aims to improve equity by providing extra laptops to students who cannot afford them.

    In context

    The government's commitment to social equity was tested when it had to decide how to distribute healthcare resources across diverse socioeconomic regions.

    inequityunfairnessbias
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Finance

    the value of a property or business after you subtract the money owed on it.

    the residual value of an asset after all liabilities and debts associated with it have been deducted.

    Simple

    After paying his mortgage for ten years, he had built up a lot of equity in his house.

    In context

    The founders were reluctant to give up more equity in the company, fearing they would lose controlling interest to the venture capitalists.

    Usage

    Uncountable when referring to the general concept of value; countable when referring to specific shares.

    net valueownership
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Finance

    shares in a company that people buy as investments.

    stocks or any other security representing an ownership interest in a company.

    Simple

    She decided to invest her savings in equities because they usually offer better long-term returns.

    In context

    Market analysts observed a significant shift from bonds to equities as investor confidence in the tech sector began to recover.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency FormalTechnical Law

    a specific set of legal rules used to provide fair results when strict laws are too harsh.

    a branch of law that developed in the English Court of Chancery to provide remedies where the common law was inadequate.

    Simple

    The judge looked to the principles of equity to find a fair solution that the written law did not cover.

    In context

    In this jurisdiction, the rules of equity prevail over the common law in cases where there is a direct conflict between the two.

    common law

Instead, companies with stronger environmental performance generated higher sales, leading to improved returns on assets and equity.

Phys.org· 13 Aug 2026

Education in museums is often used as a tool to advance access and equity, offering unique learning experiences for diverse audiences.

JSTOR Daily· 5 Aug 2026
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated