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fair
/feər/
just and reasonable
The judge ensured the trial was fair to both parties.
The judge made sure the trial was just and unbiased.
general
treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination
She believes in fair treatment for all employees.
She believes everyone should be treated equally without bias.
Often used in legal, social, and workplace contexts.
general
reasonable or acceptable in quality or quantity
The price seems fair for the service provided.
The price is reasonable given what was offered.
Common in commerce and everyday transactions.
descriptive
having a light complexion or pale skin
She has fair skin that burns easily in the sun.
Her pale skin is sensitive to sunlight.
Primarily used to describe physical appearance.
Collocations
fair playsportsmanship and honesty in competitionfair sharean equal or reasonable portionfair weatherpleasant but possibly unreliable conditions
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'fair' can vary based on context—whether it's about justice, appearance, or reasonableness.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'fair' is versatile, using it too often can make your writing repetitive. Consider synonyms like 'just' or 'impartial' for variety.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'faire,' meaning 'beautiful' or 'pleasant,' derived from Old French 'fer,' from Latin 'farius,' meaning 'fair, beautiful.' The sense of 'just' developed in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
Can be used as an adjective to describe people, situations, or objects. Often associated with justice, equality, and reasonableness.
Word Breakdown
fair
just, reasonable, or light in color
rootEnglish Dictionary