fair play

American  

noun

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

   The political campaign was notably lacking in fair play.

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fair play British  

noun

1. an established standard of decency, honesty, etc

2. abidance by this standard

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of fair play

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

"So how they took it down and got it home, it's like fair play."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

It is against one uniform financial fair play system.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Mr. Curran discusses two works in particular that helped tilt the balance in favor of fair play, both published in 1913.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The International Olympic Committee said on Saturday it hoped for "fair play" after US Vice President JD Vance was booed at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

Derby spoke movingly of the American form of government, with freedom and justice and opportunities and fair play for all.

From "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• equal opportunity
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance