4 syllables: E, qual, i, ty. Stress on qual.
ik-WAH-luh-tee
/ɪˈkwɑləti/
Equality is pronounced ik-WAH-luh-tee (/ɪˈkwɑləti/). It has four syllables (E-qual-i-ty), with the stress on "qual". Equality is a state or condition in which all people are treated as having the same rights and opportunities. It is often discussed in social, political, and legal contexts, emphasizing fairness and non-discrimination. As a concept, it contrasts with inequality and seeks uniform treatment regardless of differences such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
nounEquality is a state or condition in which all people are treated as having the same rights and opportunities. It is often discussed in social, political, and legal contexts, emphasizing fairness and non-discrimination. As a concept, it contrasts with inequality and seeks uniform treatment regardless of differences such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
- You may flatten the second syllable, making it sound like /ə/ or /əˈlɪti/. Focus on a strong /ɒ/ or /ə/ depending on accent and keep the /l/ clear before the final /ti/. - Another error is misplacing the primary stress on the first syllable: correct by saying ih-KWOL-i-ty with robust stress on the second syllable. - Finally, some speakers merge the /lɪ/ into /li/ or produce a nearly silent /t/; keep a crisp /ti/ with a light but audible /t/ and a clean /i/ at the end.
How to Pronounce Equality
"We strive for gender equality in the workplace."
"The constitution guarantees equality before the law."
"Equity and equality are related but not identical concepts."
Pronounce as /ɪˈkwɒlɪti/ in US and AU, and /ɪˈkwɒləti/ in UK. Put primary stress on the second syllable: e-QUAL-i-ty. The first vowel is a short i sound, the /ɪ/; the /kw/ blends quickly; the /ɒ/ is a rounded open o; the /l/ is clear; the final /i/ is a quick ee sound. Think: ih-KWAHL-ih-tee, with a slightly lighter second syllable in non-stressful speech. Audio reference: listen for the strong secondary stress on the second syllable in connected speech.
Common errors: misplacing stress (putting primary stress on the first syllable), pronouncing the second syllable as /ə/ rather than /ɒ/ causing ‘e-QUI-luh-tee’; and eliding the /l/ or merging /kw/ too softly. Correction tips: rehearse the word as three syllables with clear /ɪ/ on the first, strong /ɒ/ in the second, and a crisp /ti/ ending. Practice with a tapping rhythm to feel the stress: ta-KWOL-i-ty. Record yourself to hear the exact /kw/ cluster and maintain the /l/ sound.
In US and AU, the first vowel is /ɪ/ and the second syllable often has a clearer /ɒ/ with non-rhotic tendencies less pronounced; the final /ti/ can sound like /ti/ or /tiː/. In UK English, you may hear /ɪˈkwɒləti/ with a clearer schwa in the second ‘o’ position depending on speaker: the second syllable can be /lə/ or /ləˈti/. Overall, rhoticity influences the rhotic /r/ presence only in connected speech; Equality is typically non-rhotic in most UK dialects, with stable /r/ absent in final positions.
The difficulty lies in the three-syllable rhythm and the /kw/ consonant blend early in the word. The second syllable carries primary stress and includes a short, rounded /ɒ/ vowel in many dialects, which contrasts with the near-schwa in rapid speech. The ending /ti/ can be unclear when spoken quickly, sounding like /ti/ or /tiː/. Mastery requires precise timing of stresses and accurate articulation of the /kw/ cluster and /l/ before /ti/.
A unique feature is the clear onset /ɪk-/ split across syllables with a strong second syllable stress, creating the characteristic e-QUAL-i-ty rhythm. The /kw/ cluster across the syllable boundary demands quick lip rounding and tongue advancement, followed by an /ɒ/ or /ə/ depending on accent. In connected speech, you’ll hear slight vowels reductions in fast talk, but the core pattern remains: ih-KWOL-i-tee in many US/AU variants and ih-KWAW-lə-tee in some UK variants.
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- US: rhoticity is variable in connected speech; you may hear an /r/ only in certain contexts, but keep the end /ti/ clear. Vowel in second syllable tends toward /ɒ/ as in ‘lot’. IPA: /ɪˈkwɒlɪti/. - UK: typically non-rhotic; second syllable is /lə/ or /lɪ/ depending on speaker; keep /ɒ/ or /ə/ depending on regional variation. IPA: /ɪˈkwɒləti/. - AU: similar to US, with largely flat vowels; maintain /ɪˈkwɒlɪti/. Practice breathing to support steady rhythm, and avoid a drawn-out /iː/ at the end.
Equality originates from the Latin aequalitas, from aequalis meaning equal, derived from aequus meaning even or level. The term entered English through Old French as egalité and Latin roots, centering on sameness in measure, quantity, or status. Historically, meanings broadened from mathematical equality in mathematics and measurement to social and political contexts, where it came to denote equal rights and opportunities for individuals within a society. Early modern usage linked equality with justice and law, evolving through Enlightenment thought into modern universality of rights. The word has been used in religious, legal, and philosophical discourses to argue against privilege and for universal dignity. First known uses appear in medieval Latin documents emphasizing parity, with English adoption in the 16th–18th centuries in discussions of law and governance. Over time, equality broadened to encompass equal protection, equal access, and equal treatment, becoming a foundational principle in constitutions, civil rights movements, and human rights discourse.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Equality" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Equality" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Equality"
-ity sounds
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