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equity

EK-wih-tee /ˈek.wɪ.ti/

nounC1GREGMATCAT

formallegal

The quality of being fair and impartial; or the net value of an asset after deducting liabilities.

In social policy, 'equity' differs from 'equality': equality gives everyone identical resources, while equity provides resources based on specific need to ensure fair outcomes.

The story behind the word. Traces back to Latin 'aequitas' (uniformity, fairness), derived from 'aequus' (level, even). In Roman law, 'aequitas' was a principle used by judges to temper the strict letter of written law with natural justice and common sense.

Word relationships

fairness: Fairness is a broad everyday concept of justice, whereas equity in policy involves structural adjustments to level systemic disadvantages.
impartiality: Impartiality means lack of bias or playing without taking sides, while equity actively addresses existing imbalances.

inequity: Inequity refers to systemic unfairness or injustice in distribution.
bias: Bias is unfair favoritism toward one group over another.

Commonly confused with

equality: Equality means treating everyone exactly the same; equity means giving everyone what they need to achieve equal opportunity.

Word family

equitable (adjective): Fair and impartial.
equitably (adverb): In a fair and impartial manner.

Collocations

social equity
health equity
home equity
equity and inclusion

Example sentences

"The educational foundation allocated additional funding to under-resourced schools to promote social equity." Social Governance
"After paying off the mortgage, the homeowners accumulated substantial equity in their property." Finance

Memory hook

EQUAL foundation = EQUity levels the ground so everyone can reach. Leveling the ground.

When not to use

Do not confuse with financial equity (shares of stock) when discussing moral fairness without economic asset context.

Fun facts

In English legal history, 'Courts of Equity' operated alongside 'Courts of Law' specifically to handle cases where strict written laws produced unfair results.