Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Fairly

adv.thoughtful, kindeveryday

Meaning 1

In a way that gives people impartial and reasonable treatment.

Reach for it when describing how a decision, contest, or resource allocation avoids favoritism

The chair fairly divided the remaining speaking time among four groups.

Choose between these

4
  • professional

    equitably

    different needs are considered to create a fair result

    not when Equitably need not mean everyone receives the same amount.

  • professional

    impartially

    freedom from preference or conflict is essential

    not when Impartial procedure can still produce an unfair outcome.

  • formal

    evenhandedly

    several sides receive consistent consideration

    not when The word is cumbersome in a simple instruction.

  • formal

    justly

    moral rightness is the reason for the treatment

    not when Justly can sound grand for dividing routine chores.

Meaning 2

To a noticeable but not extreme degree.

Reach for it when making a measured estimate when stronger emphasis would overstate

The path is fairly steep for the final two hundred meters.

Choose between these

3
  • everyday

    quite

    the degree is substantial but context supplies the exact strength

    not when Quite varies by dialect and can confuse the intended intensity.

  • warm

    reasonably

    the estimate should feel moderate and practical

    not when Reasonably may judge acceptability rather than degree.

  • formal

    somewhat

    you intend a cautious, limited degree

    not when Somewhat is weaker than fairly in many contexts.

Said against

4
  • unfairly
  • partially
  • arbitrarily
  • extremely

It naturally appears in

3
  • treat fairly

    Supervisors must treat fairly every applicant who meets the deadline.

  • judge fairly

    The rubric helps each reviewer judge fairly.

  • fairly common

    Small stone wells are fairly common in this district.

The word family

2

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.