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 29 Jul. 2026.

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