# imbalance

/ɪmˈbæɫəns/ (US) · /ɪmbˈæləns/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imbalance
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a situation where two things are not equal or in the right proportions. It often means one side is too strong, too big, or has too much of something.

For teachers: a lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things. Refers to a state where elements are not distributed equally or fairly.

## Examples

- There is a clear imbalance between the two teams.
- The government is trying to correct the economic imbalance between the wealthy cities and the poorer rural areas.
- A chemical imbalance in the brain can sometimes lead to mood disorders, requiring medical intervention to restore a healthy equilibrium.

## Usage notes

- Often used with 'between' to show the two sides, or 'of' to describe the specific problem (e.g., 'an imbalance of power').

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