Equity: meaning, definitions and examples

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equity

[ˈɛkwɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

finance

The value of a company's shares or of a property after all debts have been paid; the value of a business after all debts have been subtracted from its assets.

Synonyms

capital, ownership, share.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
equity	Used when talking about fairness and value in business or finance. Often refers to the ownership value in a company or property after debts are paid off. The equity in her home has increased significantly over the years. He has a 20% equity stake in the company.
ownership	Used in a general context to describe having legal rights or control over an asset, property, or business. She took full ownership of the business after her partner retired. Ownership of the car switched to him after the sale.
share	Usually used in a business or investment context to refer to units of ownership in a company. Can also be used more generally to imply a divided part of something. He bought 50 shares of the company’s stock. Each of them received an equal share of the profits.
capital	Typically used in a financial context to refer to the money or assets that a person or organization can use for investing or starting a business. They needed more capital to launch the new product line. The startup raised significant capital in its first funding round.

Examples of usage

Shareholders are concerned about the equity of the company.
The equity of the property has increased over the years.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

law

The quality of being fair and impartial; fairness.

Synonyms

fairness, impartiality, justice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
equity	This term is often used in legal, financial, and social contexts to refer to fairness and justice, especially when considering the distribution of resources or treatment of people. It emphasizes that everyone gets what they need to succeed. Social organizations work towards achieving equity in education. We need to ensure equity in the distribution of healthcare services.
fairness	Suitable for everyday conversation to express the idea of being fair, honest, and free from bias. It's a general term that can be applied in many situations, from personal interactions to formal settings. The referee's fairness was questioned by the fans. We need to ensure fairness in the hiring process.
impartiality	This word is mainly used when referring to a lack of bias or favoritism. It's often heard in legal and formal discussions to stress objective judgment. Journalists must maintain impartiality in their reporting. The judge's impartiality is crucial for a fair trial.
justice	Justice is used when addressing the concept of moral rightness based on ethics, law, and fairness. It's a broader term often associated with the legal system and societal values. They demanded justice for the victims of the crime. The concept of justice varies between different cultures.

Examples of usage

The judge ruled with equity in mind.
It's important to seek equity in all legal matters.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

education

The quality of being fair and impartial in the distribution of resources and opportunities.

Synonyms

equality, fairness, impartiality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
equity	Used when talking about fairness and justice, especially in a legal or financial context, ensuring everyone gets what they need to succeed. The new regulations are designed to promote equity in the workplace. Equity in education ensures that all students have access to the resources they need.
fairness	Used in everyday situations to describe actions and decisions that are just and free from bias. She was known for her fairness in dealing with difficult situations. The game's outcome depended on the fairness of the referee.
equality	Refers to treating everyone the same regardless of their differences, often used in social and legal contexts. The law guarantees equality for all citizens. They promote equality through their programs aimed at reducing discrimination.
impartiality	Refers to an unbiased and objective approach, often used in legal, journalistic, or administrative contexts. The judge must maintain impartiality throughout the trial. The report was praised for its impartiality and thoroughness.

Examples of usage

Equity in education is a key goal for many policymakers.
The school strives for equity among all its students.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'aequitas,' meaning fairness or equality.
Equity developed in medieval England, where it became a system of justice to correct the strictness of common law.

Law

In legal terms, equity refers to a set of legal principles that aim to achieve fairness when strict application of the law would be unjust.
Equitable remedies, like injunctions, provide solutions that are more suited to individual circumstances than standard legal rules.

Finance

In finance, equity represents ownership in a company, typically in the form of stocks, entitling holders to a share of profits.
The concept of equity in finance is crucial for understanding investments and the value of assets.

Social Justice

In discussions of social justice, equity focuses on understanding and addressing the root causes of inequality, rather than simply treating everyone the same.
Organizations often adopt equity frameworks to ensure inclusivity and support for marginalized groups in various aspects of life.

Education

Educational equity strives to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need, including varied teaching methods and learning environments.
Efforts towards educational equity aim to close achievement gaps between different student populations based on socioeconomic status, race, or disabilities.

Translations

Translations of the word "equity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 equidade

🇮🇳 न्याय

🇩🇪 Eigenkapital

🇮🇩 keadilan

🇺🇦 справедливість

🇵🇱 kapitał

🇯🇵 公平

🇫🇷 équité

🇪🇸 equidad

🇹🇷 eşitlik

🇰🇷 형평성

🇸🇦 عدالة

🇨🇿 spravedlnost

🇸🇰 spravodlivosť

🇨🇳 公平

🇸🇮 pravičnost

🇮🇸 jafnrétti

🇰🇿 әділеттілік

🇬🇪 სამართლიანობა

🇦🇿 ədalət

🇲🇽 equidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,662, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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