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Synonyms

fair play

American  

noun

  1. just and honorable treatment, action, or conduct.

    The political campaign was notably lacking in fair play.
fair play British  

noun

  1. an established standard of decency, honesty, etc

  2. abidance by this standard

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
fair play Idioms  

  1. Conformity to established rules; upright conduct and equitable conditions. For example, The coach insists on fair play. Shakespeare used this idiom in King John (5:2): “According to the fair play of the world, let me have audience.” [Late 1500s] Also see turnabout is fair play.

Etymology

Origin of fair play

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Littler, who averaged 107.4 to Greaves' 105, posted on Instagram after his defeat: "Fair play to Beau. All the best in Minehead. Some talent."

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

Fair play to Leeds, they have really surprised and impressed me so far.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

Fair play to any fans, home or away, who are going to this game.

From BBC • May 23, 2025

Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday night.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2024

Fair play and honors to the best man, say I!

From Montezuma's Castle and Other Weird Tales by Cory, Charles B. (Charles Barney)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.