unequal
gb/ʌnˈikwəl/ us/ʌnˈikwəl/
B2
English
~ 7400
egyenlőtlen, nem egyenlő, igazságtalan, nem egyforma, eltérő, nem tud megbirkózni, nem alkalmas
B2
1
egyenlőtlen
B1
nem egyenlő
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is unequal to [something]
The two teams went into the game with clearly unequal resources.
A két csapat egyértelműen egyenlőtlen erőforrásokkal vágott neki a mérkőzésnek.
There is an unequal distribution of doctors between rural and urban areas.
Az orvosok eloszlása a vidéki és a városi területek között egyenlőtlen.
They entered an unequal partnership, with her investing far more money than him.
The debate felt like an unequal contest between an expert and a beginner.
Shareholders complained about the unequal treatment of small and large investors.
Learner examples
The power between the two groups is unequal.
A két csoport között egyenlőtlenek az erőviszonyok.
There is unequal money for schools in rich and poor areas.
A gazdag és a szegény területeken működő iskolák nem egyenlő összegű támogatást kapnak.
The fight was unequal because one man was much stronger.
They have unequal skills, so the work is not fair.
The two sides of the deal are unequal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "unequal" when they simply mean "different" (e.g., *"We have unequal opinions"*). "Unequal" usually suggests a difference in amount, power, or importance, not just any difference. In very basic contexts, "different" or "not the same" is more natural.
Meaning
not the same in degree
Collocations
unequal power
|unequal distribution
|unequal partnership
|unequal relationship
|unequal match
|unequal shares
Synonyms
uneven (Very close in meaning, but often used for physical surfaces or distributions; slightly more informal.)
|
disproportionate (More formal; stresses that the difference in size or amount is too large or too small compared to something else.)
Antonyms
equal (States that two or more things are the same in size, amount, or level.)
|
balanced (Stresses that different parts or sides have similar weight, power, or amount.)
Themes
comparison
|numbers
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Different in size, amount, level, or strength when you compare two or more things.
Not the same in size, amount, level, strength, or status when two or more things are compared.
B2
2
egyenlőtlen
B1
igazságtalan
B1
Usage pattern:
unequal [noun]
Campaigners are calling for an end to unequal pay for women and men.
Az aktivisták a nők és férfiak közötti egyenlőtlen bérezés megszüntetését követelik.
Access to healthcare remains deeply unequal across different regions.
Az egészségügyi ellátáshoz való hozzáférés továbbra is rendkívül egyenlőtlen a különböző régiókban.
They grew up in an unequal society where class determined your future.
The report highlights the unequal treatment of migrant workers by the authorities.
Unequal educational opportunities keep many children in poverty.
Learner examples
Women still get unequal pay in some countries.
Egyes országokban a nők még mindig nem kapnak a férfiakéval egyenlő fizetést.
Many people are angry about unequal treatment by the police.
Sokan dühösek a rendőrség igazságtalan bánásmódja miatt.
Children from poor families often have unequal chances in school.
The law creates unequal rights for different groups.
We must fight against unequal opportunities.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"not equal pay"* instead of the fixed phrase "unequal pay" when talking about unfair differences in salary. Also, "inequal" is not standard; the correct adjective is "unequal."
Meaning
unfair or unjust; not equal
Collocations
unequal pay
|unequal treatment
|unequal opportunities
|unequal access
|unequal society
|unequal education
Synonyms
unfair (General and common word; does not specifically highlight difference in rights or opportunities, but often used in the same contexts.)
|
inequitable (More formal and legal; strongly associated with systems or laws that treat groups differently.)
Antonyms
equal (Used for systems or situations where people have the same rights and chances.)
|
fair (Stresses that treatment is just and reasonable for everyone.)
Themes
society
|politics
|work
|law
|relationships
Definition
Unfair, because some people get more or better things than others.
Not fair, because people do not receive the same rights, opportunities, or benefits.
B2
3
nem egyforma
A2
eltérő
B1
Usage pattern:
unequal [plural noun]
The artist drew three unequal circles to create a feeling of movement.
A művész három különböző méretű kört rajzolt, hogy mozgás érzetét keltse.
The triangle has two equal sides and one clearly unequal side.
A háromszögnek két egyenlő oldala van, a harmadik pedig egyértelműen eltérő hosszúságú.
The clock struck at unequal intervals, making it hard to tell the time.
Unequal spacing between the posts made the fence look strange.
He noticed the chair legs were of unequal length, so it rocked on the floor.
Learner examples
The two lines are of unequal length.
A két vonal nem egyforma hosszú.
The table stands on legs of unequal size.
Az asztal nem egyforma méretű lábakon áll.
The lights are placed at unequal distances on the wall.
In this shape, the sides are unequal.
The sound comes in unequal time steps.
Common mistake:
Learners often use "unequal" instead of "uneven" for bumpy or rough surfaces (e.g., *"an unequal road"*). For surfaces, "uneven" is more natural; "unequal" is more about lengths, sides, or distances that do not match.
Meaning
not even or regular
Collocations
unequal lengths
|unequal sides
|unequal angles
|unequal intervals
|unequal spacing
Synonyms
irregular (Very close; common for shapes, timing, or patterns that do not follow a regular rule.)
|
asymmetrical (More technical; used especially for shapes where two sides are not mirror images.)
Antonyms
even (Used for surfaces, lengths, or spacing that are the same or regular.)
|
symmetrical (Describes shapes whose parts match on opposite sides.)
Themes
science
|math
|description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not even, not regular, or not the same in size or space between parts.
Having parts that are not the same in size, length, or spacing; not even, regular, or symmetrical.
C1
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] is unequal to [task]
She suddenly felt unequal to the task of leading the entire project.
Hirtelen úgy érezte, nem tud megbirkózni azzal a feladattal, hogy az egész projektet vezesse.
The small local hospital was unequal to the demands of a major disaster.
A kis helyi kórház nem tudott megbirkózni egy nagy katasztrófa követelményeivel.
Realizing he was unequal to the challenge, he asked a colleague for help.
They feared the team would be unequal to such a complex negotiation.
He admitted he was unequal to the job and resigned.
Learner examples
I feel unequal to this big job.
Úgy érzem, nem tudok megbirkózni ezzel a nagy feladattal.
The old bridge is unequal to the heavy traffic.
A régi híd nem bírja a nagy forgalmat.
The team was unequal to the hard game.
She was unequal to the task of caring for four small children alone.
The system is unequal to such a large number of users.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "unequal" here means merely "different." In this structure, "be unequal to [something]" is a fixed, formal phrase meaning "not capable of" or "not strong enough for." It is not used to mean simply "not the same as" in this pattern.
Meaning
not capable of doing something
Collocations
unequal to the task
|unequal to the job
|unequal to the challenge
|feel unequal to [something]
Synonyms
incapable (Directly states that someone cannot do something; slightly more neutral and common in modern use.)
|
inadequate (Stresses not being good enough in quality, skill, or amount for a particular purpose.)
Antonyms
equal to (Set phrase meaning fully capable of dealing with a task or situation.)
|
up to (Informal; in phrases like "up to the job" meaning fit or capable for it.)
Themes
ability
|emotions
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not strong enough or not good enough to do a hard job or task.
Not able, strong, or good enough to do something, especially something difficult or demanding.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unequal
IPA
GB/ʌnˈikwəl/
US/ʌnˈikwəl/
Syllables & stress
un - equal (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (equal)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unequal
Word family
Negative and opposite forms
unequally
adverb
inequality
noun B2
Advanced or less common
Expressions
an unequal match
1/ən ʌnˈikwəl mˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
unbalanced game or contest
A game or fight where one side is much stronger or better than the other.
Examples
- The game turned out to be an unequal match from the first minute.
- It was an unequal match: the champions against a local amateur team.
- Some viewers dislike watching such an unequal match.
an unequal struggle
1/ən ʌnˈikwəl stɹˈʌɡəl/
fixed phrase
conflict with unmatched sides
A fight or contest where one side is much weaker than the other and is very likely to lose.
Examples
- It was an unequal struggle between the protestors and the heavily armed police.
- They faced an unequal struggle against a far richer competitor.
- Saving the company felt like an unequal struggle from the very beginning.
unequal access
1/ʌnˈikwəl ˈæksˌɛs/
fixed phrase
unfair difference in access
When some groups can use important things (like health care or the internet) more easily than others, in an unfair way.
Examples
- Unequal access to healthcare is a major public concern.
- The study found unequal access to fast internet in rural areas.
- Policies are needed to address unequal access to clean water.
unequal opportunities
1/ʌnˈikwəl ˌɑpɚtˈunɪtiz/
fixed phrase
unfairly different chances
When some people have more chances to succeed than others, in an unfair way.
Examples
- Unequal opportunities in education can last a lifetime.
- The program aims to reduce unequal opportunities between rich and poor children.
- Unequal opportunities often lead to long-term social problems.
unequal pay
1/ʌnˈikwəl pˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
unfair difference in pay
When one group of workers gets less money than another group for the same or similar work, in an unfair way.
Examples
- The campaign focuses on ending unequal pay for women.
- Unequal pay remains a major issue in many industries.
- They filed a lawsuit over unequal pay at the company.
unequal to the task
1/ʌnˈikwəl tə ðə tˈæsk/
fixed phrase
formal
not capable of doing the task
Not strong enough or not good enough to do a particular job or duty.
Examples
- Many officials proved unequal to the task of managing the crisis.
- He felt unequal to the task and asked his supervisor for support.
- The committee was unequal to the task of making such a difficult decision.
unequal treatment
1/ʌnˈikwəl tɹˈitmənt/
fixed phrase
unfairly different treatment
When people are treated in different ways that are not fair, often because of race, gender, or social group.
Examples
- The report documents unequal treatment of minority students.
- Many workers complain about unequal treatment by their managers.
- Laws exist to protect citizens from unequal treatment by the state.