Separate but equal Meaning in English
expression
Definition
A phrase used to describe a situation in which groups of people are kept apart but are supposed to have the same rights or conditions; most often refers to historic racial policies in the United States.
Usage & Nuances
Strongly associated with legal history, especially racial segregation in the US. It often carries negative or ironic connotations today, as the supposed 'equality' was not real. Used mainly in discussions of law, history, or civil rights.
Example Sentences
The law said facilities could be separate but equal.
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Separate but equal was used to defend segregation in schools.
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People realized separate but equal was unfair.
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Many argued that separate but equal was just an excuse for discrimination.
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The phrase separate but equal appears often in discussions about civil rights history.
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If something is separate but equal, it usually means it isn’t truly fair.
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