fair

verb

faired; fairing; fairs
Synonyms of fairnext

intransitive verb

of the weather : clear

transitive verb

: to join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly

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Fair in Love and War

For many people, the word fair brings to mind the aphorism “all is fair in love and war.” We have been using some variation of this saying for quite some time, although, as with many such expressions, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when it began. As far back as 1578 John Lyly wrote “anye impietie may lawfully be committed in loue, which is lawlesse.” We do not see evidence of war juxtaposed with love until 1687, when Aphra Behn wrote “All Advantages are lawful in Love and War” in her play The Emperor of the Moon. By 1717 this had morphed into “All advantages are fair in love and war” in William Taverner’s play The Artful Husband. Finally, by 1789 we find the line used exactly as it is today in the novel The Relapse: “Tho’ this was a confounded lie, my friend, ‘all is fair in love and war’.”

Word History

Etymology
First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair was in 1635

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Cite this Entry

“Fair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

fair

1 of 3 adjective
ˈfa(ə)r How to pronounce fair (audio)
ˈfe(ə)r
1
: attractive in appearance : beautiful
our fair city
2
a
: clean entry 1 sense 2, pure
fair sparkling water
b
: clear entry 1 sense 3, legible
make a fair copy
3
: not stormy or cloudy
fair weather
4
a
: unbiased, just
wanted fair treatment
b
: observing the rules : allowed
fair play
c
: open to lawful pursuit or attack
fair game
5
a
: promising, likely
a fair chance of winning
b
: favorable to a ship's course
a fair wind
6
: not dark
fair skin
7
: neither good nor bad
did a fair job
fairness noun

fair

2 of 3 adverb
: in a fair manner
play fair

fair

3 of 3 noun
1
: a gathering of buyers and sellers for trade
2
: an exhibition (as of farm products) usually with accompanying entertainment, amusements, and competitions
3
: a sale of articles usually for a charitable purpose
Etymology

Old English fæger "pleasing to the eye or mind"

Middle English feire "a gathering of buyers and sellers," from early French feire (same meaning), from Latin feria "weekday, fair," derived from earlier feriae (plural) "holidays"

Legal Definition

fair

adjective
1
: characterized by honesty and justice : free from self-interest, deception, injustice, or favoritism
a fair and impartial tribunal
2
: reasonable as a basis for exchange
a fair wage
a fair valuation
3
: consistent with merit or importance
fair and just compensation for the injuries
4
: conforming with established laws or standards : being in accordance with a person's rights under the law
fair judicial process
fairly adverb
fairness noun

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