Word: equitable (adjective)

Associations

"Equitable" means fair and just, especially when sharing or treating people in a way that is right and balanced.

• In a business deal, an equitable agreement means both sides get fair benefits.
• In law, an equitable decision is one that is fair, even if it is not exactly according to strict rules.
• In education, equitable access means all students have fair chances to learn, regardless of background.

A well-known synonym is "fair." The difference is that "equitable" often implies a fairness based on justice and balance, sometimes considering different needs or situations. "Fair" is more general and can mean just or equal, but "equitable" focuses more on fairness that fits the situation.

Substitution

Other words you can use instead of "equitable" are:

• fair (more general)
• just (more formal, related to justice)
• impartial (more about no bias) Using "fair" might sound simpler, but "equitable" suggests a deeper sense of fairness based on balance and justice.

Deconstruction

The word "equitable" comes from the root "equit-" which is related to "equity," meaning fairness or justice.

• Prefix: "equi-" means equal or balanced.
• Suffix: "-table" is from Latin, meaning able or suitable. So "equitable" means "able to be equal or fair."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a situation where something is fair but not equitable? Why?
• How would you make a classroom more equitable for all students?
• Have you ever experienced something that was equitable or not equitable? What happened?