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Fair

adj. thoughtful, kind everyday

What it means

Meaning 1

Guided by consistent principles that give each person a reasonable chance.

Reach for it when describing a decision, rule, or person that avoids favoritism

The fair chairperson heard both proposals before opening the vote.

Meaning 2

Acceptable in amount or quality without being exceptional.

Reach for it when giving modest approval when something meets a reasonable standard

The repair was a fair solution for the limited budget.

Words to choose between 8

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom, and by meaning across. Tap a word to see when it fits.
Meaning 1Meaning 2
everyday
professional
formal

Meaning 1: Guided by consistent principles that give each person a reasonable chance.

  • everyday

    even-handed

    Fits when someone treats competing sides with the same care

    Careful This does not fit a price or amount that is merely reasonable.

  • professional

    impartial

    Fits when the decision-maker has no favored side

    Careful A neutral decision-maker can still apply a rule that produces an unjust result.

  • formal

    equitable

    Fits when resources or outcomes should account for different needs

    Careful It is not the clearest choice for praising an ordinary person's even-handed behavior.

  • formal

    just

    Fits when moral rightness is the central claim

    Careful It may sound weightier than needed for dividing chores.

Meaning 2: Acceptable in amount or quality without being exceptional.

  • everyday

    decent

    Fits when informal, moderate approval is enough

    Careful Decent is vague and can undersell a genuinely strong result.

  • everyday

    reasonable

    Fits when a request, price, or compromise is sensible

    Careful Reasonable tolerates imperfection and does not express strict impartiality.

  • professional

    adequate

    Fits when the result meets a minimum requirement

    Careful It sounds faintly positive if you intend warm or enthusiastic praise.

  • formal

    respectable

    Fits when performance is solid enough to merit regard

    Careful Avoid it where fairness between people, not quality, is at issue.

Opposites 4

  • biased
  • unjust
  • unreasonable
  • poor

Common phrases 3

  • fair decision

    A fair decision explains how the same rule was applied to everyone.

  • fair chance

    Each applicant received a fair chance to demonstrate the skill.

  • fair price

    The cooperative pays growers a fair price for every basket.

Word family 2

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated