Definition of fair
1 : pleasing to the eye or mind especially because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality The innkeeper had two fair daughters.
2 : superficially pleasing : specious she trusted his fair promises
3a : clean, pure fair sparkling waterb : clear, legible an old manuscript written in a fair hand
4 : not stormy or foul : fine fair weather
5 : ample a fair estate
6a : marked by impartiality and honesty : free from self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism a very fair person to do business withb (1) : conforming with the established rules : allowed (2) : consonant with merit or importance : due a fair sharec : open to legitimate pursuit, attack, or ridicule fair game
7a : promising, likely in a fair way to winb : favorable to a ship's course a fair wind
8 archaic : free of obstacles
fairness
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of fair in a Sentence
“You boys not looking for any trouble, are you?” The question was fair. Millat's Crew looked like trouble. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, (2000) 2001
“I have a good relationship with both Eddie and David. I think they've been fair to me.” —Joni Mitchell, quoted in Rolling Stone, 30 May 1991
Everybody out, the Iraqis said, except CNN. Even CNN isn't sure why they made that decision. Perhaps it is because CNN alone is seen globally. What the Iraqis told us is that they had found our coverage since August to have been “fair.” —Peter Arnett, Washington Post, 25-31 Mar. 1991
That's a fair question, and it deserves an honest reply.
He is known as a very fair man.
I try to be fair to my children.
He claims that the competition wasn't fair.
It's not fair that she gets to leave early and I don't.
a fair and impartial jury
a bargain that is fair to everyone
“What a bad movie!” “Be fair! Parts of it are actually pretty funny.”
I can't say I liked the movie, but, to be fair, parts of it are pretty funny.
She did poorly on the test, but, to be fair, so did a lot of other people.
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’.”
Origin and Etymology of fair
Middle English fager, fair, from Old English fæger; akin to Old High German fagar beautiful
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of fair
synonyms see in addition beautiful
Definition of fair
2 : something that is fair or fortunate (see 1fair)
3 archaic : woman; especially : sweetheart
for fair
: to the greatest extent or degree : fully the rush is on for fair
no fair
: something that is not according to the rules that's no fair
Origin and Etymology of fair
see 1fair
First Known Use: before 12th century
Examples of fair in a Sentence
we expect everyone on this basketball court to play fair
it fair takes your breath away when you find out what properties in London are going for
Origin and Etymology of fair
see 1fair
First Known Use: before 12th century
Origin and Etymology of fair
see 1fair
First Known Use: 1635
Definition of fair
1 : a gathering of buyers and sellers at a particular place and time for trade
2a : a competitive exhibition usually with accompanying entertainment and amusements an agricultural fairb : an exhibition designed to acquaint prospective buyers or the general public with a product a book fairc : an exposition that promotes the availability of services or opportunities health fairs job fairs
3 : a sale of assorted articles usually for a charitable purpose
Examples of fair in a Sentence
At night the sparkling lights, hurdy-gurdy music of the merry-go-round, excited children, and screams of the riders on the roller coaster that races overhead recall the gaiety of a carnival midway at a county fair. —Witold Rybczynski, Atlantic, May 1993
Back at the street fair, in the smoky heat among vendors of souvenirs and street food, a flock of kids dances around a boom box playing Lionel Richie. —Barbara Kingsolver, New York Times Magazine, 12 Sept. 1993
“Do you like to go out? You know, party?” “Who doesn't?” “Well, the Ebony Fashion Fair is in three weeks. You want to go?” —Terry McMillan, Waiting to Exhale, 1992
Origin and Etymology of fair
Middle English feire, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin feria weekday, fair, from Late Latin, festal day, from Latin feriae (plural) holidays — more at feast
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Business Terms
FAIR Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of fair for English Language Learners
-
: agreeing with what is thought to be right or acceptable
-
: treating people in a way that does not favor some over others
-
: not too harsh or critical
FAIR Defined for Kids
Definition of fair for Students
fairer
;fairest
1 : not favoring one over another Everyone received fair treatment.
2 : observing the rules fair play
3 : neither good nor bad He's only a fair singer.
4 : not stormy or cloudy fair weather
5 : not dark fair hair
6 : attractive in appearance : beautiful our fair city
7 : being within the foul lines a fair ball
fairness
nounDefinition of fair for Students
1 : a large public event at which farm animals and products are shown and entertainment, amusements, and food are provided a county fair
2 : an event at which people gather to buy, sell, or get information a job fair a book fair
3 : a sale of articles for charity a church fair
Law Dictionary
fair
Legal Definition of fair
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
adverbfairness
nounLearn More about fair
-
See words that rhyme with fair Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fair Spanish Central: Translation of fair Nglish: Translation of fair for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fair for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fair
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up fair? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!