What does "equity" mean?
Fairness, impartiality, or justice as determined in light of "natural law" or "natural right".
Equity
/ˈɛk.wɪ.ti/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Fairness, impartiality, or justice as determined in light of "natural law" or "natural right".
- Grammar: equity is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: fairness, absolute interest, academic impartiality, admiralty law.
- Useful contrasts: social inequality, systematic bias, asmera.
- Usage evidence: The company is open for equity participation by anybody.
How to use "equity"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "equity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "equity" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "equity" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "equity" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "equity" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "fairness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "equity", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Fairness, impartiality, or justice as determined in light of "natural law" or "natural right". countable, uncountable
"Sufficeth what they in their graue wiſedoomes ſhall proſcribe, I in no ſorte will ſeeke to acquite, nor preſumptuouſly attempte to diſpute againſt the equity of their iudgementes, but humble and proſtrate appeale to their mercies."
- 2 conformity with rules or standards wordnet
- 3 Various related senses originating with the Court of Chancery in late Medieval England; The power of a court of law having extra-statutory discretion, to decide legal matters and to provide legal relief apart from, though not in violation of, the prevailing legal code; in some cases, a court "sitting in equity" may provide relief to a complainant should the code be found either inapplicable or insufficient to do so. countable, uncountable
"1800, Lloyd Kenyon, 1st Baron Kenyon in Mayor, &c. of Southampton v. Graves (1800), 8 T. R. 592. A Court of equity knows its own province."
- 4 the ownership interest of shareholders in a corporation wordnet
- 5 Various related senses originating with the Court of Chancery in late Medieval England; A right which accrues to a party in a transaction because of the nature of the transaction itself, and which is exercisable upon a change of circumstances or conditions; in other words, an equitable claim. countable, uncountable
"...the mortgagor retains ‘equitable title’ or the ‘equity of redemption’….The equity of redemption permits the mortgagor to regain legal title to the mortgaged property upon satisfying the conditions of the mortgage..."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 the difference between the market value of a property and the claims held against it wordnet
- 7 Various related senses originating with the Court of Chancery in late Medieval England; The body of law which was developed in the English Court of Chancery, which Court had extra-statutory discretion, and is now administered alongside the common law of Britain. England, countable, uncountable
- 8 Various senses related to net value; Value of property minus liens or other encumbrances. countable, uncountable
"I have a lot of equity in my house."
- 9 Various senses related to net value; Ownership, especially in terms of net monetary value of some business. countable, uncountable
"Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster."
- 10 Various senses related to net value; Ownership interest in a company as determined by subtracting liabilities from assets. countable, uncountable
- 11 Various senses related to net value; A player's expected share of the pot. countable, uncountable
- 12 Equality countable, nonstandard, uncountable
"What steps the Government are taking to help ensure equity of opportunity for people from low-income families."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The company is open for equity participation by anybody."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "equity"?
Common synonyms include: fairness, absolute interest, academic impartiality, admiralty law, assessable stock, asset.
How do you use "equity" in a sentence?
The company is open for equity participation by anybody.
How do you pronounce "equity"?
Pronounced /ˈɛk.wɪ.ti/.
Etymology
From Middle English equitee, equytee, from Old French equité, from Latin aequitās (“uniformity; impartiality; fairness”).