Fair vs. Fairly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
"Fair" often refers to equity or a public event, while "fairly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate moderation or reasonableness.
Difference Between Fair and Fairly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Fair" is commonly used as an adjective meaning just, equitable, or pleasing in appearance, whereas "fairly" is an adverb meaning moderately or reasonably.
In legal or ethical contexts, "fair" describes actions or processes that are free from bias, like a fair trial; on the other hand, "fairly" is used to describe the manner in which an action is performed, as in fairly executed.
"Fair" can also denote a gathering for entertainment or trade, such as a county fair, while "fairly" does not refer to a noun but modifies the description of an event, suggesting it was conducted in a fair manner.
When describing weather, "fair" means clear and sunny, whereas "fairly" could modify the description, indicating the weather was fairly good, thus not entirely perfect but generally favorable.
The usage of "fair" can influence perceptions, suggesting impartiality or attractiveness, while "fairly" often softens or slightly diminishes the characteristic it modifies, such as fairly interesting or fairly common.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, noun
Adverb
Meaning
Just, equitable; pleasing; an event
Moderately, reasonably
Usage in Sentences
Fair decision; fair skin; state fair
He played fairly; fairly good
Contextual Usage
Ethical, aesthetic, event-based
Modifying degree of quality or extent
Example in Weather
Fair weather
Fairly sunny
Compare with Definitions
Fair
Light; blonde.
She has fair hair.
Fairly
To a high degree.
She's fairly certain it will rain.
Fair
Just or appropriate under the circumstances.
The judge made a fair ruling.
Fairly
In a fair manner; justly or honestly.
The game was played fairly.
Fair
A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment.
We met at the annual state fair.
Fairly
Quite or very.
It's fairly obvious he doesn't agree.
Fair
Considerably large.
They won by a fair margin.
Fairly
With justice.
He was treated fairly at the hearing.
Fair
Clear and sunny, in terms of weather.
The forecast predicts fair weather tomorrow.
Fairly
Moderately or tolerably.
The movie was fairly entertaining.
Fair
A fair (archaic: faire or fayre) is a gathering of people for a variety of entertainment or commercial activities. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary with scheduled times lasting from an afternoon to several weeks.
Fairly
Fairly is a surname.
Fair
Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination
The group has achieved fair and equal representation for all its members
A fairer distribution of wealth
Fairly
In a fair or just manner; equitably.
Fair
(of hair or complexion) light; blonde
A pretty girl with long fair hair
Fairly
Legitimately; suitably.
Fair
Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount
He did a fair bit of coaching
Fairly
Clearly; distinctly.
Fair
(of weather) fine and dry
A fair autumn day
Fairly
Actually; fully
The walls fairly shook with their bellowing.
Fair
Beautiful
The fairest of her daughters
Fairly
Moderately; rather
A fairly good dinner.
Fair
Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage
No one could say he played fair
Fairly
To a reasonable degree
I was fairly sure that I would go to the party.
Fair
To a high degree
She'll be fair delighted to see you
Fairly
Gently.
Fair
A beautiful woman
Pursuing his fair in a solitary street
Fairly
Courteously.
Fair
A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment
I won a goldfish at the fair
Fairly
(manner) In a fair manner; fair; not biased or skewed or favouring a certain party
A jury is expected to ensure that the accused is fairly judged.
Fair
A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.
Fairly
Favorably; auspiciously; commodiously.
A town fairly situated for foreign trade
Fair
(of the weather) become fine
Looks like it's fairing off some
Fairly
Honestly; properly.
Consumer laws aim to have consumers fairly treated.
Fair
Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings
It is fully faired and race ready
Fairly
Softly; quietly; gently.
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
Fairly
(degree) Partly, not fully; somewhat.
The weather this weekend will be fairly dry.
Fair
Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.
Fairly
(dated) Almost; practically.
Fair
Of light complexion
Fair skin.
Fairly
Without blemish.
Fair
Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.
Fairly
In a fair manner; clearly; openly; plainly; fully; distinctly; frankly.
Even the nature of Mr. Dimmesdale's disease had never fairly been revealed to him.
Fair
Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.
Fairly
Favorably; auspiciously; commodiously; as, a town fairly situated for foreign trade.
Fair
Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.
Fairly
Honestly; properly.
Such means of comfort or even luxury, as lay fairly within their grasp.
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
Fairly
Softly; quietly; gently.
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
Fairly
To a moderately sufficient extent or degree;
The shoes are priced reasonably
He is fairly clever with computers
They lived comfortably within reason
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
Fairly
In a fair evenhanded manner;
Deal fairly with one another
Fair
Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.
Fairly
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
Fair
Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.
Fair
(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.
Fair
In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.
Fair
Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
Fair
(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.
Fair
(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.
Fair
A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market
We attended the annual book fair.
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
Fair
An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar
A church fair.
Fair
Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.
Monday's child is fair of face.
There was once a knight who wooed a fair young maid.
Fair
Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.
One's fair name
After scratching out and replacing various words in the manuscript, he scribed a fair copy to send to the publisher.
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
Fair
Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
Fair
Favorable to a ship's course.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.
A fair mark;
In fair sight;
A fair view
Fair
(shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
(baseball) Between the baselines.
Fair
Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.
Fair
Not a no ball.
Fair
(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.
Fair
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?
Fair
(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.
Fair
(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
Fair
(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.
Fair
A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.
Fair
An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.
Fair
An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.
Fair
A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).
Fair
(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).
Fair
(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).
Fair
To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.
Fair
(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fair
Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably
Fair
Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.
Fair
Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
Fair
Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over.
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; - said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
Fair
Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; - said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
Fair
Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
Fair
Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.
Fair
Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.
Fair
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
Fair
Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my fair.
Fair
Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee !
Fair
A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
Fair
A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.
Fair
A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
Fair
An exhibition by a number of organizations, including governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting people with such organizations or their members, not primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's Fair.
Meet me in St. Louis, LouisMeet me at the fairDon't tell me the lights are shiningAnyplace but there.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fairing the foul.
Fair
To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.
Fair
A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
Fair
Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair
Fair
A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
Fair
A sale of miscellany; often for charity;
The church bazaar
Fair
Join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly
Fair
Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul
Fair
Showing lack of favoritism;
The cold neutrality of an impartial judge
Fair
More than adequate in quality;
Fair work
Fair
Not excessive or extreme;
A fairish income
Reasonable prices
Fair
Visually appealing;
Our fair city
Fair
Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens
Fair
(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag
Fair
Of no 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
Fair
Attractively feminine;
The fair sex
Fair
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Fair
Free of clouds or rain;
Today will be fair and warm
Fair
(used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;
A fair complexion
Fair
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Fair
In a fair evenhanded manner;
Deal fairly with one another
Common Curiosities
What does "fair" mean in a legal context?
It means just and equitable, ensuring impartial treatment.
In what context is "fairly" commonly used?
It's commonly used to modify adjectives and adverbs to indicate moderation.
What is a "fair" in community events?
It is a gathering that usually includes entertainment, food, and merchandise stalls.
Can "fair" be used to describe physical appearance?
Yes, it can refer to light complexion or attractiveness.
How does "fairly" modify a statement?
It often acts to moderate or somewhat reduce the extent of a statement.
Can "fair" mean a large amount?
Yes, in informal contexts, it can mean a considerable amount.
How is "fairly" used in terms of certainty?
It can express a significant degree of certainty, as in fairly certain.
Does "fairly" have synonyms?
Yes, synonyms include reasonably, moderately, and somewhat.
Does "fairly" have a noun form?
No, "fairly" is only used as an adverb.
Can "fair" describe a process?
Yes, it often describes processes or actions that are done in an equitable manner.
How does the usage of "fair" in weather differ from "fairly"?
"Fair" describes clear weather, while "fairly" modifies the extent, such as fairly sunny.
Is "fair" used internationally?
Yes, it's used worldwide but can have varied specific meanings in different cultures.
Can "fair" be a verb?
No, "fair" is not commonly used as a verb.
What is the difference between "fairly" and "very"?
"Fairly" suggests a moderate level, whereas "very" implies a higher degree of intensity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
