Word of the day · 19 May 2026
equity
/ˈɛkwɪti/
noun
Fairness in treatment or outcomes; also ownership value in property or a company after debts.
In a sentence
- They redesigned the grant process in the name of equity among schools.
- Home equity rose when the neighborhood’s prices climbed.
- Investors bought equity in the startup rather than lending it cash.
In an image
Origin
From Latin aequitas (evenness, fairness), from aequus (even, equal); English kept both moral and financial senses.
History
Law courts of equity historically softened rigid rules with fairness. Finance kept equity for residual ownership. Public policy revived the fairness sense for resources adjusted to need, which is why people contrast equity with strict sameness. Dual meanings make it a frequent lookup word.
Nearby words
fairness · ownership · justice
Fair dealing in life and ownership value on a balance sheet.