equitable
Americanadjective
-
characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair.
equitable treatment of all citizens.
- Synonyms:
- unprejudiced, unbiased, objective, impartial, dispassionate, just, fair, evenhanded
- Antonyms:
- prejudiced, biased, inequitable, unequitable, unjust, unfair
-
Law.
adjective
-
impartial or reasonable; fair; just
an equitable decision
-
law relating to or valid in equity, as distinct from common law or statute law
-
law (formerly) recognized in a court of equity only, as claims, rights, etc
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of equitable
Explanation
Equitable distribution means everyone gets their fair share of something.If you work on a group project in class, you want an equitable share of the credit. When you look at equitable, you might think you see the word, equal, but it doesn't mean fair in the sense of exactly the same. If you worked ten hours at a lemonade stand and your friend worked five, you'd want an equitable share of the profits rather than an equal share. Equitable would take into account the amount of work you did, equal would not.
Vocabulary lists containing equitable
Grade 9, List 5
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "E" and "F"
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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.
If policymakers instead focus on strengthening insurance coverage and preventing insurers from denying or delaying access to breakthrough treatments, patients could have equitable access to the miracle drugs of today — and tomorrow.
From Salon • May 15, 2026
Steyer didn’t flinch as he explained how he has funded ballot propositions and nonprofit initiatives to fight for a more equitable California.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
Their goal is to support more effective and equitable public health policies that account for real-world environmental exposures.
From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026
"Developing countries are voicing their mistrust, fearing they will share their viruses without any guarantees of equitable access to vaccines in the event of a crisis," WHO chief scientist Sylvie Briand told AFP.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
Malcolm said, “You turned our dinner party upside down, Tandy. This chop is appropriate, fair, and equitable, and furthermore, for your penalty, you must execute this task while standing on your head.”
From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson
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.
