disparity
/dis'pæriti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A great difference or inequality: A noticeable and often unfair lack of equality or similarity between two or more things, especially in level, amount, or quality. 2. A lack of correspondence or equivalence: A state of being fundamentally different or mismatched.
Usage and Examples
General Usage: Disparity is used to describe a significant and often problematic gap or imbalance. It is commonly used in formal or academic contexts to discuss social, economic, or measurable differences.
Examples: - There is a significant disparity in income between the two regions. - The report highlights the growing disparity in access to quality healthcare. - We must address the disparity in educational opportunities.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Wide/great/large disparity": Emphasizes a very significant difference.
- There is a wide disparity in life expectancy across different socioeconomic groups.
- "Disparity between": Used to specify the two things being compared.
- The disparity between his public statements and his private actions was shocking.
- "Disparity in": Used to specify the area or respect in which the difference exists.
- The study examined disparities in sentencing for similar crimes.
Variants and Related Words
- Disparate (adjective): Essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison.
- They come from disparate backgrounds, which makes collaboration challenging.
Synonyms
- Inequality: Lack of equality, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
- Imbalance: Lack of proportion or relation between corresponding things.
- Gap: A wide divergence or difference.
- Discrepancy: An illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts.
Antonyms
- Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities.
- Parity: The state or condition of being equal, especially regarding status or pay.
- Similarity: The state or fact of being similar.
- Equivalence: The condition of being equal or essentially interchangeable.
Common Collocations and Phrases
- Income/wealth disparity: Difference in earnings or assets.
- Gender/racial disparity: Difference based on gender or race.
- Economic disparity: Difference in economic conditions.
- Health disparity: Difference in health status or access to care.
- To reduce/narrow/address a disparity: To work on making a difference smaller or less severe.
Noun
- inequality or difference in some respect