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

---

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

Confronted with the rules of fair play, the reader was enjoined to solve the case alongside the detective, which required seeing through the author’s sleights of hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

These included the "unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity".

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

“This is about the integrity of sport and code of ethics that upholds sportsmanship, fair play, integrity, respect and community,” Uhlaender said in a post on X.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

Farke added: "It is for the authorities to find a solution. Is it in the sense of the game or fair play? I would have my doubts."

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

But merely wishing for relations to improve was taking something of a gamble, for Cal Tech’s fabulous chemist Linus Pauling was not subject to the confines of British fair play.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

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