disparity
Americannoun
plural
disparitiesnoun
-
inequality or difference, as in age, rank, wages, etc
-
dissimilarity
Related Words
See difference.
Other Word Forms
- nondisparity noun
Etymology
Origin of disparity
First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French desparite, from Late Latin disparitās; equivalent to dis- 1 + parity 1
Explanation
If there is a disparity between how great you think you are at tennis and how you actually play, you are probably surprised by how often you lose. Disparity is the condition of being unequal, and a disparity is a noticeable difference. Disparity usually refers to a difference that is unfair: economic disparities exist among ethnic groups, there is a disparity between what men and women earn in the same job. This noun derives from Latin dispar "unequal." The opposite of disparity is parity, the condition of being equal or the same.
Vocabulary lists containing disparity
Grade 9, List 5
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!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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!
This Week in Words: September 29 - October 5, 2018
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The disparity may suggest that investors see layoffs—whether driven by AI or not—as targeted cost-cutting rather than a warning sign for the labor market.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
But they overcame the disparity in ranking and experience to reach the finals for the third year in a row.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
In a note to investors published Wednesday, his reservations were focused chiefly on the clear disparity between the statements made by the Americans and the Iranians in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
“We have fewer clinicians than we do patients, and that disparity is going to increase.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Because income inequality is greater here, there is a wider disparity between what rich and poor parents can invest in their children.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
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.
