Fair play
n.kind, thoughtfulwarm
What it means
Conduct that respects shared rules, equal treatment, and an opponent's legitimate chance.
Reach for it when praising ethical behavior in competition, negotiation, or public life
Both captains defended fair play after the disputed decision.
Choose between these
6- everyday
basic humane conduct is the standard being defended
not when Decency can be satisfied without following the formal rules of a contest.
- warm
sportsmanship
respectful conduct toward opponents in sport is the focus
not when Sportsmanship is too narrow for business dealings or civic decisions.
- professional
fair access or outcomes require attention to differing circumstances
not when Equity is a policy concept and does not capture gracious conduct between rivals.
- professional
honest adherence to principles matters beyond any one contest
not when Integrity describes character broadly and may not address equal opportunity.
- formal
evenhandedness
a decision-maker treats competing sides impartially
not when Evenhandedness concerns the referee more than the participants' behavior.
- formal
honesty and justice in transactions are central
not when Fair dealing sounds commercial or legal when the scene is athletic.
Said against
4- cheating
- favoritism
- foul play
- exploitation
It naturally appears in
3- spirit of fair play
The teams replayed the point in the spirit of fair play.
- commitment to fair play
Her commitment to fair play earned respect across the league.
- rules of fair play
The debate opened with clear rules of fair play.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun sense: just conduct and respect for rules opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.