fair weather

USAGE SUMMARY

"fair weather" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to pleasant, sunny weather or to a calm, peaceful atmosphere. For example, "We had perfect fair weather for the outdoor wedding ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

Outdoor activities

Sports

Weather forecasts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Outdoor dining in fair weather.

The New York Times

That was easy in fair weather.

The Economist

Street-side dining in fair weather.

The New York Times

Sidewalk dining in fair weather.

The New York Times

Given fair weather, England should win.

The Guardian - Sport

Outdoor cafe tables make a pretty tableau in fair weather.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

How about fair-weather friends?

The New Yorker

These are not fair-weather Hazlitteans.

The New Yorker

"It only works in fair-weather.

The New York Times

No fair-weather fan was he.

Princeton University

This is a fair-weather city.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fair weather" to describe physical conditions, such as "fair weather waterspouts", in which case the meaning changes.

Common error

Be mindful of the hyphen. "Fair weather" describes actual weather conditions, while "fair-weather" (with a hyphen) is an adjective describing someone who is only supportive during good times, as in "fair-weather fan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair weather" functions primarily as a descriptive term. As Ludwig AI points out, it typically modifies a noun, such as in "outdoor dining in fair weather", providing information about the prevailing atmospheric conditions. It indicates that the weather is pleasant and suitable for certain activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fair weather" is a commonly used phrase to describe pleasant and favorable weather conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely understood. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to set a positive tone when discussing outdoor activities or events. Be sure to differentiate it from "fair-weather", which describes someone who is only supportive during good times. Remember to use "fair weather" when you need to highlight that the conditions are ideal for an event or activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pleasant weather

Emphasizes the agreeable nature of the weather.

sunny skies

Focuses on the presence of sunshine as a key feature of good weather.

good weather conditions

A more formal way of describing favorable weather.

favorable weather

Highlights the advantage or benefit provided by the weather.

clear skies

Emphasizes the absence of clouds.

mild weather

Highlights the lack of extreme temperatures.

agreeable weather

Focuses on the comfort and pleasantness of the weather.

dry weather

Indicates the absence of rain or precipitation.

clement weather

A more formal term for mild and pleasant weather.

balmy weather

Describes weather that is warm and gentle.

FAQs

How can I use "fair weather" in a sentence?

You can use "fair weather" to describe pleasant weather conditions, like "The picnic was perfect because of the "fair weather"".

What is the difference between "fair weather" and "fair-weather"?

"Fair weather" describes good weather conditions. "Fair-weather", as in "fair-weather fan", describes someone who is only supportive when things are going well. Remember the hyphen changes the meaning.

What are some synonyms for "fair weather"?

Some synonyms for "fair weather" include "pleasant weather", "sunny skies", and "good weather conditions", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to use "fair weather" to describe a person?

While "fair weather" typically describes weather conditions, you can use the hyphenated form "fair-weather" to describe a person who is only reliable or supportive during good times. For example, a "fair-weather friend" is someone who disappears when things get tough.