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I'm looking for a word that would describe someone's behaviour or personality which says that they enjoy it when things are fair. So, for example, when they win money as part of a team, they would be happiest if every member got the same amount, or if they were splitting a cake they would be happiest if everyone got the same size.

I've thought of altruist, communist, etc. but these don't quite describe what I'm looking for.

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  • egalitarian or socialist, the first being more suitable for non-political personality observation. maybe a populist or, more anglo-saxon and less political, a leveller
    – JamesHH
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 15:17
  • Would maples be the sort of thing you’re looking for here?
    – tchrist ♦
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 15:21
  • Thanks JamesHH! These are all useful to keep in mind! And it would appear so tchrist, that seems to relate to my situation quite well!
    – Lord_Northerner
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 15:28
  • "Steven", named after the same fellow we reference with "even stevens". Can be used as "He's a Steven", or "oh stop being such a Steven". (yes I just made this up.... I think...)
    – AviD
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 16:46
  • A single word for “someone who wants everything to be even”: imparnumerophobic
    – ShreevatsaR
    Commented Mar 9, 2017 at 15:12

3 Answers 3

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Egalitarian:

adjective 1. of, relating to, or upholding the doctrine of the equality of mankind and the desirability of political, social, and economic equality

noun 2. an adherent of egalitarian principles

... her strength is the direct product of egalitarian Scandinavian society, where gender roles are merged rather than sharply defined.

(Collins Dictionary)

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  • Yes this is what I'm looking for I think! Thank you very much for the help, and you've added another word to my vocabulary!
    – Lord_Northerner
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 15:26
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Well, seeing as a synonym of "even" is "level", perhaps you could use the word leveller:

  1. a person or thing that levels

  2. a person who works for the abolition of inequalities

Collins English Dictionary

Note that the use of this word in your mentioned situations isn't established usage. As Michael Seifart points out in a comment, definition number 2 stems from a 17th-century English social movement by that name.

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    This has more of a connotation of "working for equality through the political process"; sense #2 of the word stems from a 17th-century English social movement by that name.
    – Michael Seifert
    Commented Mar 8, 2017 at 17:58
  • @MichaelSeifert - Thanks. I really should have included that already! Edited in, borrowing your wording with attribution :)
    – AndyT
    Commented Mar 9, 2017 at 9:16
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Equitable

adjective: 1. characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair; reasonable: equitable treatment of all citizens.

example:

She is a very equitable person in all aspects of her life.

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