fair

Word family  noun fairness ≠ unfairness adjective fair ≠ unfair adverb fairly ≠ unfairly fair

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Nature

fair1 /feə $ fer/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective  1  reasonable and acceptable 合理并可接受的FAIR a fair situation, system, way of treating people, or judgment seems reasonable, acceptable, and right 适当的，合理的 OPP unfair All we are asking for is a fair wage. 我们所要求的只是一份合理的薪水。 £150 is a fair price. 150英镑是个合理的价钱。fair trial/hearing the right to a fair trial 公正审判权 What do you think is the fairest solution? 你认为最合理的解决方式是什么？ The report is a fair summary of the issues facing us. 这份报告对我们所面临的问题做了一个适当的总结。it is fair to do something It seems fair to give them a second chance. 再给他们一次机会似乎是应该的。it’s only fair (that) (=used to say that it is right to do something) …才合理 It’s only fair that we tell him what’s happening. 我们将发生的事情告诉他，这才公平。it’s fair to say (that) (=used when you think what you are saying is correct or reasonable) 恰当地说 It’s fair to say that by then he had lost the support of his staff. 恰当地说，那时他已经失去了员工的支持。it’s not fair on somebody I can’t carry on working such long hours. It’s not fair on my family. 工作时间这样长，我干不下去了，那对我家人不公平。2  treating everyone equally 一视同仁FAIR treating everyone in a way that is right or equal 公正的，公平的 OPP unfair Why does Eric get to go and I don’t? It’s not fair! 为什么埃里克能去我不能？这不公平！ Life isn’t always fair. 生活并非总是公平的。fair to The old law wasn’t fair to women. 那条旧法律对女性不公平。it’s only fair (that) …才合理 You pay him $10 an hour – it’s only fair that I should get the same. 你给他每小时10美元，那我也应该得到同样的报酬才公平。 My boss expects a lot – but he’s very fair. 我的老板要求很高——但是他很公平。3  QUITE LARGE 很大的a fair size/amount/number/bit/distance etc especially British EnglishBIG quite a large size, number etc 很大/很多/很远等 I’ve still got a fair amount of work left to do. 我还有很多工作要做。 We had travelled a fair way (=quite a long distance) by lunch time. 到中午时分，我们已走了很多路。there’s a fair chance (that)/of something (=it is quite likely that something will happen) 某事发生的可能性很大 There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer. 今年夏天我们很可能会去英格兰。4. hair/skin 头发/皮肤COLOUR/COLOR someone who is fair, or who has fair hair or skin, has hair or skin that is very light in colour 浅色的；白皙的 OPP dark5. according to the rules 根据规则RIGHT/JUSTIFIED a fair fight, game, or election is one that is played or done according to the rules 〔拳击、比赛、选举〕公平的，根据规则进行的 OPP unfair6  level of ability 能力水平ORDINARY neither particularly good nor particularly bad 中等的，普通的 SYN average Her written work is excellent but her practical work is only fair. 她的笔头功夫很出色，但实际动手能力却只是一般。7  weather 天气DN weather that is fair is pleasant and not windy, rainy etc 晴朗的 SYN fine It should be generally fair and warm for the next few days. 接下来的几天天气总体来说晴朗暖和。8  have had more than your fair share of something MORE THAN something OR somebody ELSEto have had more of something, especially something unpleasant, than seems reasonable 遇到某事太多了〔尤指不愉快之事〕 Poor old Alan! He’s had more than his fair share of bad luck recently. 可怜的老艾伦！他最近遇到的倒霉事太多了。9. give somebody a fair crack of the whip British English informalFAIR to give someone the opportunity to do something, especially so that they can show that they are able to do it 给某人一个机会〔尤为了让他们证明有能力〕10  give somebody/get a fair shake American English informalFAIR to treat someone, or to be treated, in a way that gives everyone the same chances as everyone else 给某人/获得公平的待遇[均等的机会] Women don’t always get a fair shake in business. 女性在工作上并不是总能获得公平的待遇。11. by fair means or foul DETERMINEDusing any method to get what you want, including dishonest or illegal methods 不择手段，千方百计12. all’s fair in love and war RIGHT/PROPERused to say that in some situations any method of getting what you want is acceptable 情场和战场，两者皆不厌诈〔指在某些情况下可以为达到目的而不择手段〕13  pleasant/attractive 悦人的/吸引人的 old use or literaryNICEBEAUTIFUL/GOOD-LOOKING pleasant and attractive 漂亮的，迷人的 a fair maiden 美丽的少女 SPOKEN PHRASES14  fair enough especially British English used to say that you agree with someone’s suggestion or that something seems reasonable 说得对，有道理 SYN OK ‘I think we should split the bill.’ ‘Fair enough.’ “我觉得应该大家平摊费用。”“行。”15  to be fair used when adding something after someone has been criticized, which helps to explain or excuse what they did 说句公道话 SYN in fairness She should have phoned to tell us what her plans were although, to be fair, she’s been very busy. 她应该打个电话把她的计划告诉我们。不过，说句公道话，她一直很忙。16  be fair! especially British English used to tell someone not to be unreasonable or criticize someone too much 要公道些！ Now Pat, be fair, the poor girl’s trying her hardest! 好了帕特，要公道一些，那个可怜的女孩子尽力了！17  fair’s fair used when you think it is fair that someone should do something, especially because of something that has happened earlier 应当公道才是，大家应该公平 Come on, fair’s fair – I paid last time so it’s your turn. 得了，应当公平才是——上次我付钱，所以这次该你了。18. fair comment British English used to say that a remark or criticism seems reasonable 合理的话；公正的评论19  you can’t say fairer than that British English used to say that an offer you are making to someone is the best and fairest offer they can possibly get 这是再公道不过了，无法比这再合理了 I’ll give you £25 for it – you can’t say fairer than that, can you? 我付给你25英镑——这是再公道不过了，不是吗？20. it’s a fair cop British English used humorously to admit that you should not be doing something that someone has caught you doing 这是罪有应得，活该被抓个正着〔幽默说法，表示承认不应该做某事〕21. with your own fair hands British English if you do something with your own fair hands, you do it yourself without any help – used humorously 用自己的双手，亲自〔幽默用法〕 → have a fair idea of something at idea THESAURUSfair treating people equally or in the way that is right 公平的，公正的It’s not fair that she gets paid more than me. 她报酬比我高，这不公平。Everyone has the right to a fair trial. 任何人都享有公正审判权。just formal morally right and fair 公正的，正义的a just punishment 公正的处罚a just cause 正义事业a just society 公正的社会Do you think it was a just war? 你认为这场战争是正义的吗？reasonable fair and sensible according to most people’s standards 正当的，合理的a reasonable request 正当的请求Lateness, without a reasonable excuse, will not be tolerated. 无故迟到是不允许的。balanced giving fair and equal treatment to all sides of an argument or subject 全面公正的Balanced reporting of the news is essential. 对新闻进行全面公正的报道很重要。even-handed giving fair and equal treatment to everyone, especially when it would be easy to favour one particular group 不偏不倚的The drama takes an even-handed look at the consequences of violent crime, both on attackers and their victims. 这部电视剧以公正的眼光来看待暴力犯罪的后果，对袭击者和受害者一视同仁。nThe film is even-handed and does not try to make you support either side.equitable /ˈekwətəbəl/ formal giving equal treatment to everyone involved 公平的We need an equitable solution to this problem. 我们需要一个合理的方案来解决这一问题。a more equitable distribution of wealth 更加公平的财富分配

Examples from the Corpus

fair• Jenny excels in science, but her grades in English are just fair.• Mrs. Anderson is strict but she's fair.• My grandfather used to say that life isn't always fair.• The old system of student funding seemed much fairer.• Both her children are very fair.• And yet this is hardly fair.• Wearing my competition hat, I shall be happy to examine any evidence which suggests that competition is not fair.• Her husband should help take care of the baby - it's only fair.• Kelson has a reputation as a fair and compassionate judge.• They also have an interest in sport that is seen to be clean, fair and exciting.• All observers noted that the elections had been free and fair and that conduct had exceeded all expectations.• It should be generally fair and warm for at least the next three days.• But people demand a fair chance at justice as surely as they demand medical care.• Despite the discrimination they suffered, my grandparents remained fair, decent, good people.• Observers will be present to ensure a free and fair election.• The new government has promised to hold free and fair elections.• Julia has blue eyes and fair hair.• The tax law provides for a deduction of the fair market value of the work of art.• The Court held that he need not state expressly that his quote was a fair quote.• Oh it was a fair scandal in our village, I can tell you.• Someone fair skin like you should probably use a stronger sunscreen.• The Indians were at first frightened of the fair-skinned Europeans.• Do you think it's fair that she gets paid more money than me?• To be fair, these are complicated, serious issues, and the department has only been discussing them for a short time.• I've always tried to be fair to all my children.• In order to be fair to everyone, ticket sales are limited to two for each person.• Everyone has the right to a fair trial.• All we're asking for is a fair wage.fair trial/hearing• The audi alteram partem rule-the right to a fair hearing.• The police seem to be a law unto themselves sometimes, even if it does prejudice a fair trial.• Timothy McVeigh got a fair trial.• Their lawyers argued the men would not have a fair trial because of the delays, and proceedings against them were stayed.• The question became how a fair trial could be conducted without the excess.• Mr Bonin has had a full and fair hearing on all of his claims.• They also maintained that it would be impossible to hold fair trials so long after the alleged crimes had been committed.• What I did was win us a change of venue on grounds that a fair trial was impossible in Greene County.It’s not fair• She says it's a nightmare come true and it's not fair.• It's not fair, but then, as Del once pointed out, neither is Frank Bruno's backside.• Maybe it's not fair, having it all come down to one game.• It's not fair, I haven't come off that ladder yet.• It's not fair on the people who turn up on time.• It's not fair says John.• It's not fair to keep him in like that.

Related topics: Outdoor

fair2 ●●○ noun [countable]  1. (also funfair British English) a form of outdoor entertainment, at which there are large machines to ride on and games in which you can win prizes 露天游乐场 SYN American English carnival2  American EnglishTA an outdoor event, at which there are large machines to ride on, games to play, and sometimes farm animals being judged and sold 集市〔有大型可骑乘的游戏设施、各式游戏，有时还对牲畜进行评比并出售〕state/county fair 州/县集市3  book/antiques/craft/trade etc fair BBMan event at which people or businesses show and sell their products 书展/古玩展/手工艺品展销会/交易会等 the Frankfurt Book Fair 法兰克福书展 an antiques fair 古玩展 a trade fair (=where companies show their newest products) 商品交易会 a craft fair (=where people sell handmade products such as jewellery, paintings etc) 手工艺品展销会4. job/careers fair an event where people go to get information about different kinds of jobs 职业介绍会，招聘会5. British EnglishDLO an outdoor event with games and things to eat and drink, usually organized to get money for a school, club etc 一般为学校、俱乐部等筹款的〕义卖会 SYN fête6  British English old-fashionedTA a market where animals and farm products are sold 〔出售牲畜和农产品的〕市场，集市 a horse fair 马市

Examples from the Corpus

fair• The number of stalls and the range of employers represented at careers fairs has dwindled sharply.• Her ceramics are sought after at craft fairs in Northallerton, Harrogate and York.• But then I went to one of those arts-and-crafts fairs.• Go to a franchise fair, for example.• Did responsible parents take their children to the state fair?• Such fairs are a great morale booster for any nurse who feels unappreciated.• Want the agricultural shows filled with fairs and cheap sideshows so they can enjoy themselves? 9.state/county fair• Clark had set up a booth to display his wares at a county fair to which Roosevelt was paying a visit.• Rains always fell on state and county fairs.• At the time, North County Fair did not exist.• Annie hired a new manager, William A.. Banks, who booked her in a number of state fairs.• None the less, the state fair was going on as scheduled.• Did responsible parents take their children to the state fair?• But in 139 years of attending their state fair, the people of Iowa have never seen this: Butter Elvis.fair3 adverb  1. win (something)/beat somebody fair and square STRAIGHTto win a competition, sports match etc honestly and without cheating 正大光明地赢得（某物）/打败某人2  play fair HONESTto do something in a fair and honest way 公平办事，按规则做 In international trade, very few countries play fair. 在国际贸易中，很少有国家遵守游戏规则。

Examples from the Corpus

fair• Her job is to make sure that the money is distributed fairly.• I believe I acted fairly when I expelled those students.From Longman Business Dictionaryfairfair1 /feəfer/ adjective a situation or arrangement which is fair is reasonable, honest, and acceptableThe committee takes seriously the need to be fair and just in everything it does.fair voting proceduresAll we are asking for is a fair wage.fairfair2 noun [countable]MARKETINGCOMMERCE a large show where business people producing a particular product or service can meet to advertise or sell their productsthe Frankfurtbook fairMany businesses deal less formally, for example at trade fairs. → job fair → trade fairOrigin fair1 Old English fæger “beautiful” fair2 (1200-1300) Old French feire, from Latin feriae “holidays”

fair1 adjective →THESAURUS1 →SPOKEN PHRASES1fair2 nounfair3 adverbLDOCE OnlineChinese  

people, a of situation, treating system, Corpus way or fair Business

fair

I

fair¹ S1 W2 /feə $ fer/ adjective1.  REASONABLE AND ACCEPTABLE a fair situation, system, way of treating people, or judgment seems reasonable, acceptable, and right
   OPP  unfair:
    All we are asking for is a fair wage.
    £150 is a fair price.
    fair trial/hearing
    the right to a fair trial
    What do you think is the fairest solution?
    The report is a fair summary of the issues facing us.
    it is fair to do something
    It seems fair to give them a second chance.
    it’s only fair (that) (=used to say that it is right to do something)
    It’s only fair that we tell him what’s happening.
    it’s fair to say (that) (=used when you think what you are saying is correct or reasonable)
    It’s fair to say that by then he had lost the support of his staff.
    it’s not fair on somebody
    I can’t carry on working such long hours. It’s not fair on my family.
2.  TREATING EVERYONE EQUALLY treating everyone in a way that is right or equal
   OPP  unfair:
    Why does Eric get to go and I don’t? It’s not fair__
    Life isn’t always fair.
    fair to
    The old law wasn’t fair to women.
    it’s only fair (that)
    You pay him $10 an hour – it’s only fair that I should get the same.
    My boss expects a lot – but he’s very fair.
3.  QUITE LARGE a fair size/amount/number/bit/distance etc especially British English quite a large size, number etc:
    I’ve still got a fair amount of work left to do.
    We had travelled a fair way (=quite a long distance) by lunch time.
    there’s a fair chance (that)/of something (=it is quite likely that something will happen)
    There’s a fair chance we’ll be coming over to England this summer.
4.  HAIR/SKIN someone who is fair, or who has fair hair or skin, has hair or skin that is very light in colour
   OPP  dark
5.  ACCORDING TO THE RULES a fair fight, game, or election is one that is played or done according to the rules
   OPP  unfair
6.  LEVEL OF ABILITY neither particularly good nor particularly bad
   SYN  average:
    Her written work is excellent but her practical work is only fair.
7.  WEATHER weather that is fair is pleasant and not windy, rainy etc
   SYN  fine:
    It should be generally fair and warm for the next few days.
8. have had more than your fair share of something to have had more of something, especially something unpleasant, than seems reasonable:
    Poor old Alan__ He’s had more than his fair share of bad luck recently.
9. give somebody a fair crack of the whip British English informal to give someone the opportunity to do something, especially so that they can show that they are able to do it
10. give somebody/get a fair shake American English informal to treat someone, or to be treated, in a way that gives everyone the same chances as everyone else:
    Women don’t always get a fair shake in business.
11. by fair means or foul using any method to get what you want, including dishonest or illegal methods
12. all’s fair in love and war used to say that in some situations any method of getting what you want is acceptable
13.  PLEASANT/ATTRACTIVE old use or literary pleasant and attractive:
    a fair maiden
     
SPOKEN PHRASES
14. fair enough especially British English used to say that you agree with someone’s suggestion or that something seems reasonable
   SYN  OK:
    ‘I think we should split the bill.’ ‘Fair enough.’
15. to be fair used when adding something after someone has been criticized, which helps to explain or excuse what they did
   SYN  in fairness:
    She should have phoned to tell us what her plans were although, to be fair, she’s been very busy.
16. be fair__ especially British English used to tell someone not to be unreasonable or criticize someone too much:
    Now Pat, be fair, the poor girl’s trying her hardest__
17. fair’s fair used when you think it is fair that someone should do something, especially because of something that has happened earlier:
    Come on, fair’s fair – I paid last time so it’s your turn.
18. fair comment British English used to say that a remark or criticism seems reasonable
19. you can’t say fairer than that British English used to say that an offer you are making to someone is the best and fairest offer they can possibly get:
    I’ll give you £25 for it – you can’t say fairer than that, can you?
20. it’s a fair cop British English used humorously to admit that you should not be doing something that someone has caught you doing
21. with your own fair hands British English if you do something with your own fair hands, you do it yourself without any help – used humorously ⇨ have a fair idea of something at idea
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ fair treating people equally or in the way that is right: It’s not fair that she gets paid more than me. | Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
   ▪ just formal morally right and fair: a just punishment | a just cause | a just society | Do you think it was a just war?
   ▪ reasonable fair and sensible according to most people’s standards: a reasonable request | Lateness, without a reasonable excuse, will not be tolerated.
   ▪ balanced giving fair and equal treatment to all sides of an argument or subject: Balanced reporting of the news is essential.
   ▪ even-handed giving fair and equal treatment to everyone, especially when it would be easy to favour one particular group: The drama takes an even-handed look at the consequences of violent crime, both on attackers and their victims. | The film is even-handed and does not try to make you support either side.
   ▪ equitable /ˈekwətəbəl, ˈekwɪtəbəl/ formal giving equal treatment to everyone involved: We need an equitable solution to this problem. | a more equitable distribution of wealth

II

fair² noun [countable]1. (also funfair British English) a form of outdoor entertainment, at which there are large machines to ride on and games in which you can win prizes
   SYN  carnival American English
2. American English an outdoor event, at which there are large machines to ride on, games to play, and sometimes farm animals being judged and sold
    state/county fair
3. book/antiques/craft/trade etc fair an event at which people or businesses show and sell their products:
    the Frankfurt Book Fair
    an antiques fair
    a trade fair (=where companies show their newest products)
    a craft fair (=where people sell handmade products such as jewellery, paintings etc)
4. job/careers fair an event where people go to get information about different kinds of jobs
5. British English an outdoor event with games and things to eat and drink, usually organized to get money for a school, club etc
   SYN  fête
6. British English old-fashioned a market where animals and farm products are sold:
    a horse fair
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ exhibition an event at which a collection of paintings, interesting objects etc are shown to the public for a period of time: All the photographs in the exhibition are for sale. | The Great Outdoors Exhibition is a great place to find out about new outdoors activities.
   ▪ show an exhibition. Show is less formal than exhibition. It can be used about small events as well as big public ones: The artist is preparing a show at the Museum of Modern Art. | He is putting on a one-man show in a local gallery. | a trade show | the London Motor Show at Earl’s Court
   ▪ exhibit American English an exhibition: an exhibit of Western paintings and sculptures
   ▪ fair an event at which people or businesses show or sell their products, which is often not open to the public: the Frankfurt Book Fair for publishers and the media
   ▪ exposition a large and important public event at which people or businesses show or sell their products: 177 galleries from nineteen countries will take part in the Chicago International Art Exposition.

III

fair³ S2 W3 adverb1. win (something)/beat somebody fair and square to win a competition, sports match etc honestly and without cheating
2. play fair to do something in a fair and honest way:
    In international trade, very few countries play fair.