parity
PAR-it-ee
/ˈpærɪti/
The state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status, pay, or resource allocation.
Describes achieving a benchmark state of equivalence between distinct groups or currencies.
The story behind the word. Directly from Latin 'paritas' (equality), from 'par' (equal). It entered Late Middle English as a legal and trade term denoting equal valuation of exchange rates before broadening to civil equity.
Word relationships
- equality: Equality is general and broad, whereas parity is used heavily in official policy, economics, and metrics.
- equivalence: Equivalence highlights equal value or function; parity highlights equal power, status, or pay.
- disparity: A noticeable and unjust difference or inequality.
- imbalance: Lack of proportion or equality.
Commonly confused with
- parody: Parody is an humorous imitation of something; parity is the state of equality.
Word family
- disparity (noun): Great difference or inequality.
Collocations
- achieve parity
- gender parity
- economic parity
- pay parity
Idioms & expressions
- on a par with
Example sentences
- "Advocates argue that true educational parity cannot be reached until rural school budgets match those of wealthy metropolitan districts." Educational policy summit paper
Memory hook
PAR-ity = playing golf at PAR means you are right on EQUAL target score. Equal standing on par.
When not to use
Do not use to describe emotional similarity or personal friendships.
Fun facts
- In physics, 'parity' refers to a fundamental symmetry transformation involving spatial coordinates.
Related words
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