asymmetry
ay-SIM-uh-tree
/eɪˈsɪmətri/
Lack of equality, balance, or equivalence between parts or involved parties.
Highlights structurally unequal relationships, such as when one market actor holds far more information or bargaining power than another.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'asymmetria', meaning lack of proportion. It entered English in the 17th century for geometry and gained Nobel-winning relevance in 20th-century economics via 'information asymmetry'.
Word relationships
- imbalance: Imbalance is a common term for lack of stability or weight; asymmetry implies a geometric or structural mismatch.
- disproportionality: Disproportionality refers to wrong quantitative scale, while asymmetry focuses on structural imbalance.
- symmetry: Symmetry denotes perfect balance, proportionality, and mutual equivalence.
- equilibrium: Equilibrium describes a balanced state where opposing forces cancel out perfectly.
Commonly confused with
- asymmetry vs anomaly: An anomaly is an unusual exception; an asymmetry is a structural imbalance in design or power.
Word family
- asymmetric (adjective): Lacking symmetry or equal balance.
- asymmetrically (adverb): In an unbalanced or unequal manner.
Collocations
- information asymmetry
- power asymmetry
- structural asymmetry
- trade asymmetry
Example sentences
- "Information asymmetry between buyers and used-car dealers often causes market failures." Information economics
- "The trade agreement revealed a structural asymmetry that favored large industrial exporters over small local producers." Trade policy
Memory hook
A-SYMMETRY = WITHOUT symmetry. One side heavy, one side light. Asymmetry means unbalanced power.
When not to use
Do not use to describe balanced, symmetric relationships or mirror-image structures.
Fun facts
- George Akerlof, Michael Spence, and Joseph Stiglitz won the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics for analyzing markets with information asymmetry.
Related words
Explore more words
asymmetric, disproportionate, discrepancy, disparate, symmetry
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