unequal
Americanadjective
-
not equal; not of the same quantity, quality, value, rank, ability, etc..
People are unequal in their capacities.
-
not adequate, as in amount, power, ability, etc. (usually followed byto ).
strength unequal to the task.
-
not evenly proportioned or balanced; not having the parts alike or symmetrical.
an unequal leaf.
-
uneven or variable in character, quality, etc.
-
Obsolete. inequitable; unfair; unjust.
noun
adjective
-
not equal in quantity, size, rank, value, etc
-
(foll by to) inadequate; insufficient
-
not evenly balanced
-
(of character, quality, etc) irregular; varying; inconsistent
-
(of a contest, etc) having competitors of different ability
-
obsolete unjust
Other Word Forms
- subunequal adjective
- subunequally adverb
- subunequalness noun
- unequally adverb
- unequalness noun
Etymology
Origin of unequal
Vocabulary lists containing unequal
"Ulysses" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Week 3: Take Action
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ramaphosa, whose country has been ranked by the World Bank as the most unequal on the planet, has said he will bring forward a motion on the IPI at the UN General Assembly.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
The phrase does not mean merely that the two sides are unequal in armed might.
From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026
If food companies can adapt their playbooks to an increasingly unequal consumer base, today’s discount could be an opportunity for investors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
Researchers attribute part of this disparity to social and structural factors, including unequal access to health care, differences in educational opportunities, and known biases in cognitive testing.
From Science Daily • Jan. 1, 2026
Out of the shaft, the horse drinks greedily and the carriage tips dangerously with the unequal distribution of his trunk and the woman.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
