unequal
B2Formal, Academic, Legal
Definition
Meaning
Not equal in quantity, size, value, opportunity, or ability.
Not balanced, just, or uniform; characterized by disparity or unfairness. Often implies a comparative lack or deficiency on one side.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an adjective describing imbalance. Can imply injustice in social contexts ('unequal treatment').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Unequal to the task' is slightly more common in UK formal writing.
Connotations
Strongly negative in social/political contexts (injustice). Neutral in mathematical/descriptive contexts.
Frequency
Moderately common in academic and news discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
unequal in [noun]unequal to [gerund/noun]unequal between [X] and [Y]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “unequal to the task”
- “on unequal terms”
- “an unequal struggle/fight”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to market share, pay, or competitive advantage (e.g., 'unequal bargaining power').
Academic
Describes statistical distributions, social structures, or comparative analysis.
Everyday
Used for comparing amounts, sizes, or perceived fairness.
Technical
Mathematical term for 'not equal to' (≠).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The twins received unequal portions of the inheritance.
- She felt unequal to the challenge of public speaking.
American English
- The treaty was based on unequal terms.
- The report highlighted unequal access to healthcare.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two ropes are unequal in length.
- My brother and I got unequal amounts of cake.
- The distribution of resources in the region is highly unequal.
- He felt unequal to the physical demands of the job.
- The analysis revealed an unequal burden of taxation on lower-income families.
- They entered the negotiations from an unequal position of power.
- The century-old peace accord was predicated on a fundamentally unequal relationship between the two nations.
- Her brilliance made her peers seem unequal to the intellectual rigour of the debate.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
UN + EQUAL: Think of the UN flag with unbalanced scales instead of the olive branches.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS BALANCE / FAIRNESS IS EQUALITY (therefore, injustice/imbalance is 'unequal').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not the same as 'unique' (уникальный).
- Careful with 'unequal' vs. 'not equal' – 'unequal' is more formal and often implies systemic disparity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unequal' for 'unique' or 'unusual'.
- Confusing 'unequal' (adj) with 'inequality' (noun).
- Incorrect: 'The two boxes are unequal weights.' Correct: '...are of unequal weight' or '...have unequal weights.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'unequal' most likely to imply injustice?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the direct adjective antonym, meaning 'not equal'.
No, the noun form is 'inequality'. 'Unequal' is primarily an adjective.
'Unequal' is a broader term for any lack of equality. 'Inequitable' specifically implies unfairness and injustice in the inequality.
It's a formal phrase meaning 'not having the ability or strength to do something'. Example: 'He was unequal to the task of managing the crisis.'
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