fair

/feə/

Friendly

The word "fair" is an adjective that can describe many things, and it has several meanings depending on the context. Let's explore its different uses and meanings.

Basic Definition:

1. Light-Colored: "Fair" can describe hair or skin that is light or pale. For example, someone with "fair skin" has a complexion that is light in color.

   • Example: She has long, fair hair that shines in the sunlight.

2. Weather: When talking about the weather, "fair" means that it is clear, without clouds or rain.

   • Example: The forecast says it will be a fair day, perfect for a picnic.

3. Honest: "Fair" can also mean being honest or just, without cheating or being unfair.

   • Example: He received a fair wage for his hard work.

4. Average Quality: Sometimes "fair" means something is of average quality, not excellent but not bad either.

   • Example: The movie was just fair; it didn’t impress me much.

5. Attractive: "Fair" can describe someone who is pleasing to look at, especially in a feminine way.

   • Example: The fair maidens danced gracefully at the festival.

Advanced Usage:

• Noun: "Fair" can refer to an event, like a gathering or exhibition, often for selling items or showcasing products.

  • Example: They attended the local fair to enjoy the rides and games.

• Adverb: It can also be used as an adverb, meaning to do something in a fair manner, treating everyone equally.

  • Example: They played fairly during the game, ensuring everyone had a chance.

Variants:

• Fairness (noun): The quality of being fair or just.
  • Example: The fairness of the competition was praised by all participants.

Different Meanings:

• Fair Copy (noun): A final version of a written document with few corrections.
• Fair Trade (noun): A movement aimed at helping producers in developing countries by ensuring they receive a fair price for their goods.

Synonyms:

• Just
• Equitable
• Honest
• Average
• Light (when describing color)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "By fair means or foul": This means to achieve something by any possible method, whether fair or unfair.
• "Fair and square": This means something is done honestly and according to the rules.

Summary:

In summary, the word "fair" can refer to light coloration, clear weather, honesty, average quality, and attractiveness. It can also describe events like fairs and is used in various contexts to mean equality and justice.

Academic

Adjective

1. (used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;
   • a fair complexion
2. free of clouds or rain
   • today will be fair and warm
3. gained or earned without cheating or stealing
   • an honest wage
   • an fair penny
4. (of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections
   • fair copy
   • a clean manuscript
5. attractively feminine
   • the fair sex
6. lacking exceptional quality or ability
   • a novel of average merit
   • only a fair performance of the sonata
   • in fair health
   • the caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
   • the performance was middling at best
7. (of a baseball) hit between the foul lines
   • he hit a fair ball over the third base bag
8. very pleasing to the eye
   • my bonny lass
   • there's a bonny bay beyond
   • a comely face
   • young fair maidens
9. not excessive or extreme
   • a fairish income
   • reasonable prices
10. free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
    • a fair referee
    • fair deal
    • on a fair footing
    • a fair fight
    • by fair means or foul

Noun

1. a sale of miscellany; often for charity
   • the church bazaar
2. a competitive exhibition of farm products
   • she won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
3. gathering of producers to promote business
   • world fair
   • trade fair
   • book fair
4. a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.

Adverb

1. without favoring one party, in a fair evenhanded manner
   • deal fairly with one another
2. in conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating
   • they played fairly

Verb

1. join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly

Synonyms

• fairish
• honest
• clean
• fair
• average
• mediocre
• middling
• bonny
• bonnie
• comely
• sightly
• reasonable
• just
• bazaar
• carnival
• funfair
• fairly
• evenhandedly