adjective

fair

fair, just, reasonable, exhibition

The teacher is always fair to students.

The teacher is always fair to students.

She has fair skin and blue eyes.

She has fair skin and blue eyes.

We are going to the county fair.

We are going to the county fair.

He has a fair chance of winning.

He has a fair chance of winning.

fair ((to sb.)) to be just to someone The teacher is fair to students.

a fair ((sth.)) a reasonable amount/chance of something He has a fair chance of winning.

fair ((hair/skin)) light-coloured hair or skin She has fair skin.

a/the fair an event or exhibition We are going to the county fair.

Synonyms: (just) equitable, impartial; (light-colored) blond, pale; (event) festival, exhibition

From Old English 'fæger' meaning 'beautiful'. The sense of 'just, equitable' developed from the idea of 'fitting' or 'proper'. The noun 'fair' (event) comes from Latin 'feriae' (holidays).

Picture a 'fair' (just) judge with 'fair' (blond) hair attending a county 'fair' (festival) to remember the multiple meanings.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.