fair Hear it!

fair¹ Definition

fair (fer)

adjective

  1. attractive; beautiful; lovely
  2. unblemished; clean a fair name

  3. Etymology: < notion that light coloring was desirable

    light in color; blond fair hair
  4. clear and sunny; free from storm or the threat of storm
  5. easy to read; clear a fair hand
  6. just and honest; impartial; unprejudiced; specif., free from discrimination based on race, religion, sex, etc. fair employment practices, fair housing
  7. according to the rules a fair blow
  8. likely; promising; advantageous he is in a fair way to make money
  9. pleasant and courteous
  10. favorable; helpful a fair wind
  11. of moderately good size a fair fortune
  12. neither very bad nor very good; average in fair condition
  13. apparently favorable but really false; specious fair words
  14. Archaic without obstacles; clear and open a fair road
  15. Baseball of or having to do with the part of the field on or between the foul lines, including home plate

Etymology: ME < OE fæger, akin to fain, Goth fagrs, apt, fit < IE base *pek-, to be content, make (something) pretty > Lith púošiu, to ornament

noun

  1. Obsolete beauty
  2. Archaic a woman
  3. Archaic something fair, or good

adverb

  1. in a fair manner
  2. straight; squarely struck fair in the face
  3. Baseball in or into the part of the field that is on or between the foul lines, including home plate

intransitive verb

Dialectal to become clear: said of the weather

transitive verb

to give a smooth or streamlined surface to

fair¹ Related Forms

fair′·ness noun

fair¹ Idioms

fair and square

Informal with justice and honesty

fair to middling

Informal moderately good; passable

no fair

not according to the rules: often used as an interjection

fair² Definition

fair (fer)

noun

  1. Historical a gathering of people held at regular intervals for barter and sale of goods
  2. a festival or carnival where there is entertainment and things are sold, often for charity; bazaar
  3. ☆
    1. an event consisting of a usually competitive exhibition of livestock, handicrafts, garden produce, etc. plus amusement facilities and educational displays
    2. world's fair
    3. any of various shows or conventions on a particular theme, typically consisting of booths, educational exhibits, vendors, etc.: usually in combination science fair, book fair

Etymology: ME feire < OFr < ML feria < LL, holiday (in LL(Ec), weekday) < L feriae, pl., festivals < OL fesiae, akin to L festus (see feast) < IE base *dhēs-, used in religious terms > Oscan fíísnu, temple, Arm dikʼ, gods

fair Synonyms

fair

modif.

  1. Free from injustice or bias

    just, impartial, equitable, unbiased, dispassionate, objective, unprejudiced, uncolored, evenhanded, even, balanced, nondiscriminatory, forthright, plain, scrupulous, upright, candid, generous, frank, open, sincere, straightforward, honest, lawful, clean, legitimate, decent, honorable, virtuous, righteous, temperate, ethical, reasonable, civil, courteous, sterling, uncorrupted, disinterested, detached, nonpartisan, square, fair-minded, sportsmanlike, sporting, good, handsome, principled, moderate, benevolent, aboveboard, trustworthy, meet, due, fit, appropriate, regular, right, on the level*, on the up-and-up*, fair and square*, straight*, leaning over backward*, giving the devil his due*.

    Antonyms unfair*, unjust*, biased.

  2. Moderately satisfactory

    average, not bad, ordinary, mediocre, adequate, passable, tolerable, medium, usual, common, all right, commonplace, satisfactory, decent, respectable, pretty good, up to standard, middling, fairish, so-so, OK, only fair, fair to middling*; see also common 1.

    Antonyms excellent, poor, unsatisfactory.

  3. Not stormy or likely to storm

    clear, pleasant, sunny, bright, cloudless, unclouded, calm, placid, tranquil, unthreatening, favorable, balmy, mild, smiling.

    Antonyms stormy*, threatening*, overcast. *

  4. Of light complexion

    blond, light-colored, light-complexioned, pallid, pale, sallow, white, bleached, white-skinned, milky, flaxen, fair-haired, snow-white, snowy, chalky, silvery, whitish, pearly, blanched, light, lily-white, ivory-white, albino, peaches-and-cream, blue-eyed, rosy, faded, neutral, colorless, platinum blond, whey-faced, pale-faced, white as a sheet*, white as the driven snow*; see also blond.

    Antonyms dark*, brunet*, black. *

  5. Personally attractive

    lovely, charming, pretty; see beautiful 2.

fair Synonyms

fair

n.

exposition, county fair, state fair, world's fair, street fair, carnival, bazaar, exhibition, mart, display, festival, market, bourse, exchange, flea market, crafts fair, spectacle, centennial, celebration, kermis, Donnybrook Fair, expo*; see also carnival 1.

fair, the general word, implies the treating of both or all sides alike, without reference to one's own feelings or interests a fair exchange; just implies adherence to a standard of rightness or lawfulness without reference to one's own inclinations a just decision; impartial and unbiased both imply freedom from prejudice for or against any side an impartial chairman, an unbiased account; dispassionate implies the absence of passion or strong emotion, hence, connotes cool, disinterested judgment a dispassionate critic; objective implies a viewing of persons or things without reference to oneself, one's interests, etc. an objective newspaper See also syn. study at beautiful.

fair Law Definition

adj

Neutral; balanced; just; reasonable.

fair Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hold: Since the market and fairs held at the two places were identical institutions, they are covered by only one entry in this Gazetteer.
  • hire: It was in its beginning a hiring fair, and was under the control of the bailiff.
  • grant: He also confirmed letters patent dated 25 Oct 1231 which granted a fair on vfm+5 Lawrence at Horncastle.

Adjective modifier

  • yearly: Crieff was chosen as the venue for the yearly fair for mainly geographic reason.
  • international: The gallery also plan to take my work to FIAC, the international art fair in Paris, later this year.

Modifies a noun

  • dealing: For research or private study a single copy of a diagram or illustration can be made under fair dealing.
  • share: Children's Toys Most children have more than their fair share of toys.
  • trade: Fair trade is itself a model of responsible business practice.
  • amount: I spend a fair amount of my time waiting for machines.
  • trial: In the absence of a fair trial, these men should be released.
  • bit: Which proves there's still a fair bit of fight left in him.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Three months of my life to help that cause whilst learning vital skills seems pretty fair to me.
  • bid: For a time he bids fair to attain a high and original development.

Noun used with modifier

  • craft: Sample the hustle and bustle of outdoor markets and craft fairs the city plays host to throughout the year.
  • trade: She found her Chinese partner at a London trade fair that specializes in China.
  • recruitment: In addition, the Warwick MBA team can be met at MBA recruitment fairs at various locations around the world throughout the year.
  • career: What better way to kick start your career than a Careers Fair run by students for students?
  • fun: Today was a particularly good day because there was a mini fun fair set up there.
  • arm: These include DSEi, one of the world's largest arms fairs.

Infinitive complement

say: I think it's fair to say there must be more rabbits in the world than people.