Disparity — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈsper-ə-tē/ dis·par·i·ty

Meaning & Definition of Disparity

Disparity (noun)

  1. a noticeable and usually significant difference or dissimilarity

Word Forms of Disparity

Inflections: disparities

Origin & Etymology of Disparity

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French disparité, borrowed from Late Latin disparitāt-, disparitās, from Latin dispar-, dispār "unequal, different" (from dis- dis- + par-, pār "matching, equal," of uncertain origin) + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First known use: 1571

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Disparity

Frequently Asked Questions about Disparity

What does "Disparity" mean?

"Disparity" means a noticeable and usually significant difference or dissimilarity. As a noun, it is defined as: a noticeable and usually significant difference or dissimilarity.

Is "Disparity" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disparity" is a noun.

Is "Disparity" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Disparity" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Disparity"?

"Disparity" is pronounced /di-ˈsper-ə-tē/ and divided into syllables as dis·par·i·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Disparity"?

"Disparity" comes from borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French disparité, borrowed from Late Latin disparitāt-, disparitās, from Latin dispar-, dispār "unequal, different" (from dis- dis- + par-, pār "matching, equal," of uncertain origin) + -itāt-, -itās -ity. First known use: 1571.

What CEFR level is "Disparity"?

"Disparity" is a C2-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).

What topics is "Disparity" used in?

"Disparity" is commonly used in topics such as Conflict & Opposition.

What are the forms of "Disparity"?

The word forms of "Disparity" include disparities.