fair
English meaning: Fair
Definition
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
Example
“When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?”
Another example: “It isn't fair that she had to do all the work herself.”
Usage — When, Where & How
As a noun, 'fair' usually means a public event or market (a country fair, a job fair). The word is far more frequent as an adjective ('fair treatment') or adverb. Note: 'fare' (cost/food) is a homophone.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
The 'event' sense is from Latin 'feria' ('holy day, holiday'); the 'just/beautiful' sense is from Old English 'fæger' ('pleasing, attractive').
Synonyms
- indifferent
- beautiful
- comely
- clear
- moderate
- just
- ordinary
- impartial
- reasonable
- clean
Antonyms / Opposites
- foul
- partial
- unjust
- unfair
- unfairly
Related Words
Common Collocations
- county fair
- job fair
- science fair
- funfair
- trade fair
- book fair
Word Forms
fair (n); fairs (pl); fair (adj); fairly (adv); fairness (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B