disparity
dis-PAR-i-tee
/dɪˈspærəti/
A great difference or inequality between things.
Usually implies an unfairness or a gap that shouldn't be there (e.g., wealth disparity).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'dis-' (not) and 'par' (equal). It shares a root with 'par' in golf (the expected equal score) and 'peer' (your equals).
Word relationships
- inequality: Inequality is more common; disparity sounds more formal and often refers to statistical gaps.
- parity: The state or condition of being equal.
Commonly confused with
- divergence: Divergence is the act of moving in different directions; disparity is the state of being unequal.
Word family
- disparate (adjective): Essentially different in kind.
Collocations
- income disparity
- wealth disparity
- vast disparity
Example sentences
- "The economic disparity between the northern and southern regions of the country continues to grow." Social Justice
- "There is a significant disparity in the quality of healthcare available to different ethnic groups." Healthcare
Memory hook
Dis-Parity: When things are NOT on PAR with each other. Not equal.
When not to use
Don't use it for simple differences like 'the disparity between an apple and an orange'; use 'difference' instead.
Fun facts
- The word 'parity' is often used in sports to describe a league where every team has an equal chance to win.
Explore more words
disparate, disproportionate, discrepancy, differ, asymmetry, equitable
Also appears in
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Structural Inequality & Distribution
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Labor Economics & Wages
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Development & Mixed Economies
- Education & Pedagogy → Single-Sex vs Coeducation
- Education & Pedagogy → Educational Inequality
- Health Sciences → Healthcare Access & Inequality
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