asymmetric-information
/ˌeɪ.sɪm.ˈmɛ.trɪk ˌɪn.fəˈmeɪ.ʃən/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A situation where one person, company, or group knows more than another. It often affects deals, markets, and decisions.
- The seller had asymmetric information about the car's faults.
- Asymmetric information can make prices unfair.
- The company knew more than the customer.
Adinary Nuance
Asymmetric information is more specific than 'unfair information' or 'missing information.' It means one side knows more than the other side in a decision. Writers use it in economics, business, and policy, not in everyday small talk.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thông tin bất cân xứng
- Spanish
- información asimétrica
- Chinese
- 信息不对称
- Japanese
- 情報の非対称性
- Korean
- 정보 비대칭
Etymology
This term comes from academic economics and business writing. It combines Greek roots for 'not equal' with the Latin-based word 'information.'
Common phrases
asymmetric information problemreduce asymmetric informationbecause of asymmetric information
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is asymmetric information a formal phrase?
- Yes. It is formal and common in economics and business writing.
- How is it different from 'lack of information'?
- Lack of information means nobody knows enough. Asymmetric information means one side knows more than the other.
- Can I use it in everyday conversation?
- You can, but it sounds academic. People usually say 'they knew more than us' in daily speech.