Word forms: comparative fairer, superlative fairest, plural fairs
1. adjective
Something or someone that is fair is reasonable, right, and just.
It didn't seem fair to leave out her father.
Do you feel they're paying their fair share?
Independent observers say the campaign's been very much fairer than expected.
I wanted them to get a fair deal.
He claims that he would not get a fair trial.
Synonyms: unbiased, impartial, even-handed, unprejudiced More Synonyms of fair
fairlyadverb [usually ADVERB after verb, oft ADV -ed]
...demonstrating concern for employees and solving their problems quickly and fairly.
In a society where water was precious, it had to be shared fairly between individuals.
Synonyms: equitably, objectively, legitimately, honestly More Synonyms of fair
2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A fair amount, degree, size, or distance is quite a large amount, degree, size, or distance.
My neighbours across the street travel a fair amount.
My mother's brother lives a fair distance away so we don't see him and his familyvery often.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A fair guess or idea about something is one that is likely to be correct.
It's a fair guess to say that the damage will be extensive.
I have a fair idea of how difficult things can be.
4. adjective
If you describe someone or something as fair, you mean that they are average in standard or quality, neither very good nor very bad.
Reimar had a fair command of English.
Synonyms: respectable, middling, average, reasonable More Synonyms of fair
5. adjective
Someone who is fair, or who has fair hair, has light-coloured hair.
Both children were very like Robina, but were much fairer than she was.
Fair is also a combining form.
...a tall, fair-haired Englishman.
6. adjective
Fair skin is very pale and usually burns easily.
It's important to protect my fair skin from the sun.
Synonyms: light-complexioned, white, pale More Synonyms of fair
Fair is also a combining form.
Fair-skinned people shouldn't spend a great deal of time in the sun.
7. adjective
When the weather is fair, it is quite sunny and not raining.
[formal]
Weather conditions were fair.
Synonyms: fine, clear, dry, bright More Synonyms of fair
8. countable noun [usually noun NOUN]
A county, state, or country fair is an event where there are, for example, displays of goods and animals, and amusements,games, and competitions.
9. countable noun
A fair is the same as a funfair.
[British]regional note: in AM, use carnival
10. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]
A fair is an event at which people display and sell goods, especially goods of a particular type.
...an antiques fair.
11. See also craft fair, trade fair
12.
See (to) be fair
13.
See fair enough
14.
See fair enough
15.
See to play fair
16.
See it's fair to say
17.
See fair and square
18. a fair crack of the whip
More Synonyms of fair
fair in British English1
(fɛə)
adjective
1.
free from discrimination, dishonesty, etc; just; impartial
2.
in conformity with rules or standards; legitimate
a fair fight
3.
(of the hair or complexion) light in colour
4.
beautiful or lovely to look at
5.
moderately or quite good
a fair piece of work
6.
unblemished; untainted
7.
(of the tide or wind) favourable to the passage of a vessel
8.
sunny, fine, or cloudless
9. (prenominal) informal
thorough; real
a fair battle to get to the counter
10.
pleasant or courteous
11.
apparently good or valuable, but really false
fair words
12.
open or unobstructed
a fair passage
13. Australian
(of handwriting) clear and legible
14. a fair crack of the whip
15. fair and square
16. fair do's
17. fair enough!
18. fair go!
19. fair to middling
adverb
20.
in a fair way; correctly
act fair, now!
21.
absolutely or squarely; quite
the question caught him fair off his guard
22. dialect
really or very
fair tired
verb
23. (intransitive) dialect
(of the weather) to become fine and mild
noun
24. archaic
a person or thing that is beautiful or valuable, esp a woman
Derived forms
fairness (ˈfairness)
noun
Word origin
Old English fæger; related to Old Norse fagr, Old Saxon, Old High German fagar, Gothic fagrs suitable
fair in British English2
(fɛə)
noun
1.
a travelling entertainment with sideshows, rides, etc, esp one that visits places at the same time each year
2.
a gathering of producers of and dealers in a given class of products to facilitate business
a book fair
3.
an event including amusements and the sale of goods, esp for a charity; bazaar
4.
a regular assembly at a specific place for the sale of goods, esp livestock
Word origin
C13: from Old French feire, from Late Latin fēria holiday, from Latin fēriae days of rest: related to festus festal
fair in American English1
(fɛr)
adjective
1.
attractive; beautiful; lovely
2.
unblemished; clean
a fair name
3.
light in color; blond
fair hair
4.
clear and sunny; free from storm or the threat of storm
5.
easy to read; clear
a fair hand
6.
just and honest; impartial; unprejudiced; specif., free from discrimination based on race, religion, sex, etc.
fair employment practices, fair housing
7.
according to the rules
a fair blow
8.
likely; promising; advantageous
he is in a fair way to make money
9.
pleasant and courteous
10.
favorable; helpful
a fair wind
11.
of moderately good size
a fair fortune
12.
neither very bad nor very good; average
in fair condition
13.
apparently favorable but really false; specious
fair words
14. Archaic
without obstacles; clear and open
a fair road
15. Baseball
of or having to do with the part of the field on or between the foul lines, including home plate
noun
16. Obsolete
beauty
17. Archaic
a woman
18. Archaic
something fair, or good
adverb
19.
in a fair manner
20.
straight; squarely
struck fair in the face
21. Baseball
in or into the part of the field that is on or between the foul lines, includinghome plate
verb intransitive
22. Dialectal
to become clear
said of the weather
verb transitive
23.
to give a smooth or streamlined surface to
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈbeautiful
Idioms:
fair and square
fair to middling
no fair
SYNONYMY NOTE: fair1, the general word, implies the treating of both or all sides alike, without referenceto one's own feelings or interests [a fair exchange]; just1 implies adherence to a standard of rightness or lawfulness without reference to one'sown inclinations [a just decision]; impartial, unbiased both imply freedom from prejudice for or against any side [an impartial chairman, an unbiased account]; dispassionate implies the absence of passion or strong emotion, hence, connotes cool, disinterestedjudgment [a dispassionate critic]; objective implies a viewing of persons or things without reference to oneself, one's interests,etc. [an objective newspaper]
OPPOSITES: prejudiced, biased
Derived forms
fairness (ˈfairness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OE fæger, akin to fain, Goth fagrs, apt, fit < IE base *pek-, to be content, make (something) pretty > Lith púošiu, to ornament; (sense 3) < notion that light coloring was desirable
fair in American English2
(fɛr)
noun
1. Obsolete
a gathering of people held at regular intervals for barter and sale of goods
2.
a festival or carnival where there is entertainment and things are sold, often for charity; bazaar
3. US
a.
an event consisting of a usually competitive exhibition of livestock, handicrafts, garden produce, etc. plus amusement facilities and educational displays
b.
world's fair
c.
any of various shows or conventions on a particular theme, typically consisting of booths, educational exhibits, vendors, etc.: usually in combination
science fair, book fair
Word origin
ME feire < OFr < ML feria < LL, holiday (in LL(Ec), weekday) < L feriae, pl., festivals < OL fesiae, akin to L festus (see feast) < IE base *dhēs-, used in religious terms > Oscan fíísnu, temple, Arm dikʼ, gods
More idioms containing
fair
fair and square
all's fair in love and war
a fair crack of the whip
by fair means or foul
Examples of 'fair' in a sentence
fair
Your bargaining skills are turned on but ensuring a deal is fair also makes it lucky.
The Sun (2016)
Then it is fair enough to be branded a socialite.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Age is no barrier to being tried as long as the trial is fair and the evidence is clear.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is fair, just and manifestly necessary.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
She also added a fair bit of other stuff that wouldn't do well on notebooks.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's about giving people a fair chance.
The Sun (2017)
It's fair to say we got well and truly hammered last night.
The Sun (2017)
I have spent a fair amount of time on all that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is a fair question.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Actually, that's not quite fair.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We feel we both have a fair deal.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It would make it fair for the people who have grafted all their life and paid in.
The Sun (2009)
What matters is that government should feel fair and that the country should be comfortable with it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Her skin was as fair as the skin of young deer in the wilderness.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
Less often considered is the fact that the imperial critique was a fair one.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
It is fair to say that his players will not be sticking their win bonuses on it.
The Sun (2008)
But the rulings are fair and just.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is a fun fair and entertainment for all the family.
The Sun (2012)
It is a fair question as to how one can base a political practice on such thoughts.
Boyne, Roy Foucault and Derrida - The Other Side Of Reason (1990)
Things would be so much easier and fairer with a tweak to his terms of reference.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You need to be fair both ways.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your firm but always fair approach gets good results.
The Sun (2013)
This opened the way for really quite free and fair elections.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The general view is that things are now just a little bit fairer.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are now demanding a fairer share of the catch.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His golden skin and fair hair were artfully set off by the theatrical costume.
Eddison, Sydney A Patchwork Garden: Unexpected Pleasures from a Country Garden (1990)
It could be a country fair or a public school open day.
The Sun (2012)
We came here thinking he had a really solid place chance but he has won fair and square.
The Sun (2012)
Which to me seems fair enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
To be fair though after years of instability that's not a bad place to be.
The Sun (2007)
It also wants to double the amount of UK food it sells and increase fair trade products.
The Sun (2011)
Just a howl of 'It 's not fair.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Word lists with
fair
Types of entertainment
In other languages
fair
British English: fair /fɛə/ ADJECTIVE
just If something is fair, it seems right because it is the same for everyone.
It's not fair - he's got more than me!
American English: fair reasonable
Arabic: عَادِل
Brazilian Portuguese: justo
Chinese: 公平的
Croatian: pošteno
Czech: spravedlivý
Danish: rimelig
Dutch: redelijk
European Spanish: justo
Finnish: kohtuullinen
French: juste raisonnable
German: gerecht
Greek: δίκαιος
Italian: giusto
Japanese: 公正な
Korean: 공평한
Norwegian: rimelig fornuftig
Polish: dostateczny
European Portuguese: justo
Romanian: corect
Russian: справедливый
Latin American Spanish: justo
Swedish: rättvis
Thai: สมเหตุสมผล
Turkish: adil
Ukrainian: справедливий
Vietnamese: công bằng
British English: fair /fɛə/ ADJECTIVE
blondFair hair is pale yellow in colour.
American English: fair light color
Arabic: أَشْقَر
Brazilian Portuguese: claro
Chinese: 白皙的
Croatian: svijetao
Czech: světlý
Danish: lys lys farve
Dutch: lichtgekleurd
European Spanish: rubio
Finnish: vaalea
French: clair couleur
German: hell
Greek: ανοιχτόχρωμος
Italian: chiaro
Japanese: 色白の
Korean: 살결이 흰
Norwegian: lys
Polish: jasny kolor
European Portuguese: claro
Romanian: blond
Russian: светлый
Latin American Spanish: rubio color claro
Swedish: blond
Thai: สีอ่อน
Turkish: açık renk ten/saç
Ukrainian: білявий
Vietnamese: vàng hoe
British English: fair /fɛə/ NOUN
A fair is a place where you can play games to win prizes, and you can ride on special, big machines for fun.
American English: fair
Arabic: مِهْرَجَان
Brazilian Portuguese: feira
Chinese: 展览会
Croatian: sajam
Czech: pouť zábava
Danish: marked
Dutch: kermis
European Spanish: feria
Finnish: markkinat tilaisuus
French: foire
German: Jahrmarkt
Greek: πανηγύρι
Italian: fiera mercato
Japanese: 縁日
Korean: 박람회
Norwegian: marked
Polish: targ
European Portuguese: feira
Romanian: bâlci
Russian: ярмарка
Latin American Spanish: feria
Swedish: marknad
Thai: งานแสดงสินค้า
Turkish: fuar
Ukrainian: ярмарок
Vietnamese: hội chợ
All related terms of 'fair'
no fair
not according to the rules
bid fair
to seem probable
book fair
a commercial event at which publishers exhibit and trade books
fair ball
a → fly 1 (sense 25 ) or → line drive that is caught or touched on the fly in fair territory or lands on or inside either foul line in the outfield , or a → grounder that is touched in fair territory, comes to a stop in the infield , or hits first or third base or passes either of them in fair territory: a fly that hits either of the foul poles or that sails between them as it leaves the playing field is also a fair ball
fair copy
a clean copy of a document on which all corrections have been made
fair do's
equal shares or treatment
fair game
If you say that someone is fair game , you mean that it is acceptable to criticize or attack them, usually because of the way that they behave .
fair go!
come off it!; I don't believe it!
Fair Isle
an intricate multicoloured pattern knitted with Shetland wool into various garments , such as sweaters
fair-lead
a pulley block , metal ring, etc. used to guide a line and cause it to run easily without chafing
fair play
If you refer to someone's attitude or behaviour as fair play , you approve of it because it shows respect and sympathy towards everyone, even towards people who are thought to be wrong or to deserve punishment .
fair rent
(in Britain) the rent for a private tenancy , fixed and registered by a rent officer , and based on the size, condition, and usefulness of the property, but not its scarcity value
fair sex
If someone talks about the fair sex , they are referring to women in general.
fair wage
Someone's wages are the amount of money that is regularly paid to them for the work that they do.
fun fair
an amusement park
play fair
to prove oneself fair in one's dealings
county fair
a competitive exhibition of farm products, livestock , etc., often held annually in the same place in the county
craft fair
A craft fair is an event at which people sell goods they have made.
fair amount
The amount of something is how much there is, or how much you have, need , or get.
fair catch
a catch of a kicked ball made after signaling that no attempt will be made to run with the ball: opposing players are penalized if they interfere with the catcher
fair chance
If you have a chance to do something, you have the opportunity to do it.
fair dinkum
genuine or true: used to emphasize the truth of something or in asking for the truth of something to be confirmed
fair enough!
You use fair enough when you want to say that a statement , decision , or action seems reasonable to a certain extent , but that perhaps there is more to be said or done .
fair-haired
having blonde or light-coloured hair
fair-minded
A fair-minded person always tries to be fair and reasonable , and always listens to other people's opinions .
fair result
A result is the situation that exists at the end of a contest .
fair shake
fair , just, or equitable treatment
fair share
If you have or do your share of something, you have or do an amount that seems reasonable to you, or to other people.
fair-sized
quite big
fair-spoken
civil , courteous , or elegant in speech
fair trade
Fair trade is the practice of buying goods directly from producers in developing countries at a fair price.
hiring-fair
(formerly, in rural areas) a fair or market at which agricultural labourers were hired
trade fair
A trade fair is an exhibition where manufacturers show their products to other people in industry and try to get business.
Vanity Fair
the social life of a community , esp of a great city, or the world in general, considered as symbolizing worldly frivolity
World Fair
an international exhibition of industrial, scientific , artistic etc achievements of different countries in the world
fair election
An election is a process in which people vote to choose a person or group of people to hold an official position.
fair-skinned
having pale skin; pale-complexioned
fair society
A society is the people who live in a country or region, their organizations, and their way of life.
fair-weather
You use fair-weather to refer to someone who offers help to someone, or who takes part in a particular activity, only when it is easy or pleasant for them to do so.
world's fair
any of various expositions at which the arts, crafts , industrial and agricultural products , scientific advances , etc. of various countries of the world are on display
a fair shake
If you do not get a fair shake , you are not given a reasonable opportunity to succeed or to achieve something.
Donnybrook Fair
a yearly fair formerly held at Donnybrook, near Dublin , Ireland , during which there was much brawling and rowdiness
fair assessment
An assessment is a consideration of someone or something and a judgment about them.
fair employment
the policy or practice of employing people on the basis of their capabilities only, without regard to race, sex , national origin , or religion
fair proportion
A proportion of a group or an amount is a part of it.
fair reflection
If you say that something is a reflection of a particular person's attitude or of a situation, you mean that it is caused by that attitude or situation and therefore reveals something about it.
fair treatment
Your treatment of someone is the way you behave towards them or deal with them.
the fair sex
women collectively
(to) be fair
You use fair in expressions such as to be fair and let's be fair when you want to add a favourable comment about someone or something that you have just mentioned and to correct a false impression that you might have given.
to play fair
If you say that someone plays fair , you mean that they behave or act in a reasonable and honest way .