Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

unequal

/ʌnˈiːkwəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.30 in modern English

Syllables: un-equal
IPA: /ʌnˈiːkwəl/

16

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Not the same.

adj

Out of balance.

adj

Inadequate; insufficiently capable or qualified.

adj

Erratic, inconsistent.

noun

One who is not an equal.

Example Sentences

"unequal to the task"
"Her manner to Francesca was very unequal. Sometimes it had all the frankness of their early intimacy; at other times it was forbidding, and even petulant."

Etymology

From Middle English unequale, equivalent to un- + equal. Compare German unegal (“unlevel, uneven”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: unequale

Inflected Forms

more unequal (comparative) most unequal (superlative) unæqual (alternative, obsolete) unequall (alternative, obsolete) unæquall (alternative, obsolete) unequals (plural)

Derived Forms

subunequal unequally unequalness

Phrases

unequal treaty

Frequently Paired Words

overbalanced unbalanced

Synonyms

disparate unequal uneven inadequate

Antonyms

equal

Rhymes With

equal sequel coequal sql prequel

Questions

How do you pronounce unequal?: The recorded pronunciation is /ʌnˈiːkwəl/.
What does unequal mean?: Not the same.
Where does unequal come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce unequal

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “unequal”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ʌnˈiːkwəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “unequal”.
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