fairness

[ fair-nis ]

noun

1. the state, condition, or quality of being fair, or free from bias or injustice; evenhandedness:

   I have to admit, in all fairness, that she would only be paid for part of the work.

2. the quality of being light of hair or complexion:

   Due to the fairness of her skin, she had to wear extra sunscreen even in the winter.

   One of the traits that he got from his father was the fairness of his hair.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairness¹

fair ¹ + -ness

Example Sentences

While I play, an artificial-intelligence system measures traits including generosity, fairness, and attention.

From MIT Technology Review

“But in all fairness, the virus and the protections we have against it, have been constantly changing as well,” Huntsberry writes.

From Voice of San Diego

It also raised questions about the sturdiness of the infrastructure underlying financial markets and the fairness of ties among some of its gatekeepers.

From Washington Post

We’ve always made clear that newsroom employees should avoid posting anything on social media that damages our reputation for neutrality and fairness.

From Washington Post

Supporting “pandemials” and ensuring a gender-equal recovery will be integral to building fairness into the post-pandemic economy.

From Time

In all fairness to Jay, he told The Intercept that he never expected to be a major figure in Serial.

From The Daily Beast

In all fairness, too, Marshall has at the ready pretty rational reasons for almost every change he made in this adaptation.

From The Daily Beast

Organized money swamped organized people (in fairness not all outside money was right-wing).

From The Daily Beast

All students and faculty in the UT community should support the cause of fairness in admissions.

From The Daily Beast

Sensational and often reckless reports in the press threaten the fairness of a trial.

From The Daily Beast

For it must always be remembered in fairness that the creed of violence has no necessary connection with socialism.

From Project Gutenberg

Her resentment of that undermined all the fairness of her logic, and even triumphed over the sword of her suspense.

From Project Gutenberg

There dwelt they throughout the winter & were well entertained in all fairness & hospitality.

From Project Gutenberg

"Say something about general fairness—the other side," prompted Parvill, flattered but a little surprised by my appeal.

From Project Gutenberg

Bess had very positive ideas of fairness, however, and would not give up.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• candor
• civility
• decency
• decorum
• equity
• honesty
• humanity
• impartiality
• integrity
• legitimacy
• moderation
• propriety
• rationality
• righteousness
• suitability
• tolerance
• truth
• veracity