fair

USAGE SUMMARY

'fair' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective meaning 'just and reasonable' or as a noun meaning 'an event where goods are sold or displayed'. For example: My friends and I split the cost of dinner fairly. I was excited to see the selection of art at the county fair.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a fair point.

The New York Times

We will ensure that these programmes are a fair representation of what took place throughout their stay".

The Guardian

That's fair.

The New York Times

Harsh, but fair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But is it fair?

The Guardian - Money

Western observers have never deemed any Uzbek presidential or parliamentary election in the post-Soviet era to be free and fair.

The Guardian

"It's not fair.

The New York Times

Your job is to figure out how everybody in the country has a fair shot.

The New York Times

To move Europe away from the brink, voters and politicians on all sides need to stop asking themselves what's fair and start asking themselves what's possible.

The Economist

But what it was actually doing was putting the dealers' interest in no oversight ahead of the public's interest in a fair marketplace.

The Economist

Her commitment to fair wages and the barriers she will chip away to achieve them are fascinating to hear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical matters, ensure that "fair" aligns with established principles of justice and equity. Using specific examples can reinforce the concept and prevent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "fair" without context; clearly specify what standards or criteria define fairness in your situation. In vague cases, "fair" becomes a subjective term that loses its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The word "fair" functions primarily as an adjective modifying nouns to indicate qualities like justice, beauty, or adequacy. It also functions as a noun referring to an event or gathering. As Ludwig AI shows, the word can also be an adverb and a verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "fair" is a versatile word primarily functioning as an adjective to describe justice, equity, or physical attributes, and as a noun to denote events. As shown by Ludwig, "fair" appears frequently in news and media, reflecting its commonplace usage across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable status of the word. To ensure clarity, always provide context when discussing fairness, and remember it carries connotations of impartiality, reasonableness, and aesthetic appeal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just

Indicates impartiality and adherence to moral or legal standards, similar to "fair" in its sense of equity.

equitable

Highlights the idea of equal treatment and opportunity, echoing the "fair" aspect of impartiality.

impartial

Emphasizes neutrality and lack of bias, synonymous with the concept of "fair" judgment.

unbiased

Stresses the absence of prejudice, akin to "fair" in delivering unbiased assessments.

reasonable

Suggests a balanced and sensible approach, similar to "fair" in terms of being moderate and acceptable.

average

Refers to a moderate or typical level, corresponding to the "fair" sense of being neither excellent nor poor.

adequate

Indicates sufficiency or acceptability, sharing a connection with the "fair" meaning of being satisfactory.

lovely

Emphasizes aesthetic appeal, connecting to the "fair" sense of beauty or pleasing appearance.

beautiful

Highlights the visual attractiveness, much like the "fair" sense of pleasing aesthetics.

pale

Relates to the "fair" description of skin or hair color, indicating lightness.

FAQs

How can I use the word "fair" in a sentence?

You can use "fair" in various contexts. For example, "The judge ensured a "fair trial"" or "She has "fair skin"".

What are some alternatives to saying "fair" when referring to justice?

Alternatives to "fair" in the context of justice include "equitable", "impartial", and "unbiased". These words emphasize neutrality and adherence to moral or legal standards.

What's the difference between "fair" and "equal"?

"Fair" implies justice and impartiality, while "equal" means the same in quantity, size, degree, or value. Something might be equal but not necessarily "just" or "fair", and vice versa.

Is it correct to say "fair enough"? What does it mean?

Yes, "fair enough" is a common idiom indicating agreement or acceptance, often grudgingly or with reservations. It suggests that something is acceptable under the circumstances, even if not ideal.