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

See Examples For:

fair play

FIFA’s selective moral leadership — claiming the high ground on fair play, inclusion and human rights — cannot be credible without meaningful action on gender-based violence.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2026

In the world of high stakes sporting events where everything and everyone hangs in the balance on outcome and fair play, video replay is essential to getting calls right.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

Kramnik was the world champion from 2000-07 and is a self-declared "advocate for fair play in chess".

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

If the referees don’t enforce the rules, fair play comes down to a test of character.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 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