Pronunciation: [ʌnˈiːkwə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "unequal" is spelled with the letter "u" followed by the letters "n-e" that form a schwa sound /ə/ and the letter "q-u-a-l" that together create a syllable with the sound /kwɔl/. The word ends with the letters "e" and "l" that produce a distinct /əl/ sound at the end. The IPA phonetic transcription for "unequal" is /ˌʌnˈiːkwəl/. This word is used to describe things that are not equal in quantity, size, or value.
Unequal is an adjective that describes a lack of equality or fairness in a particular circumstance. It refers to a situation, condition, or arrangement where things, people, or entities are not equal or evenly distributed. The term highlights disparities, imbalances, or inequities that exist between different parties, groups, or individuals.
In the context of social justice, unequal often refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, or privileges within a society or among its members. This can manifest in various ways, such as unequal access to education, healthcare, wealth, or power. It implies a state of disproportionality that can result in social, economic, or political disadvantages for certain individuals or groups.
Unequal can also describe a lack of parity or equivalence between two or more entities. It denotes an imbalance, dissimilarity, or unevenness in qualities, characteristics, or quantities. For example, it can refer to an unequal distribution of weight, unequal treatment in a relationship, or an unequal division of resources.
Furthermore, unequal can be used to describe a difference in value, importance, or significance between two or more things. It conveys a disparity, discrepancy, or distinction that exists in terms of quality, worth, or impact.
In summary, the term unequal encompasses the idea of inequality, inequity, or imbalance, highlighting the absence of fairness, equity, or equal distribution. It addresses disparities in various realms, ranging from social justice issues to differences in qualities, quantities, or values.
Not even; not of the same size; inferior; inadequate; ill-proportioned; ill-matched; not regular or uniform.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "unequal" is derived from the Latin word "inequalis", which is a combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "un-" and the word "aequalis" meaning "equal". "Aequalis" itself originates from the Latin word "aequus", which means "equal" or "even". Therefore, by adding the negative prefix "in-" or "un-" to "aequalis", the word "inequalis" was created, which eventually evolved into "unequal" in English.
