1
: loyal only during a time of success
a fair-weather friend
2
: suitable for or done during fair weather
a fair-weather sail

Examples of fair-weather in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The album is probably not what new or fair-weather fans might be expecting, and clearly Charli knows that as well. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 23 July 2026 Six years ago, the signing of the Abraham Accords was dismissed by skeptics as a fragile, fair-weather agreement, bound to shatter at the first sign of Middle Eastern turbulence. — Liron Zaslansky, semafor.com, 22 July 2026 Maybe Rick Devens can slowly work his way back into that fair-weather fan’s heart. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026 Ladies’ first big blowup concerns a rumor that an old fair-weather friend of Myka’s is a madam. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fair-weather

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair-weather was in 1653

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Cite this Entry

“Fair-weather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair-weather. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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