fairly

[fair-lee]

See more synonyms for fairly on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in a fair manner; justly or honestly; impartially.
moderately; tolerably: a fairly heavy rain.
properly; legitimately: a claim fairly made.

clearly; distinctly: fairly seen.
Chiefly Southern U.S.
1. actually; completely: The wheels fairly spun.
2. almost; practically: He slipped off the roof and fairly broke his neck.
Obsolete. softly.
Obsolete. courteously.

Origin of fairly

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at fair¹, -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for fairly

Contemporary Examples

These were conversations that took a fairly grim twist pretty quickly.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003
Vicky Ward
January 7, 2015
We were barely into the appetizer when he asked a fairly basic question—where did my family live?
Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone
Samantha Levine
January 6, 2015
Yes, it was a fairly disappointing year in music—one devoid of Goth teen prodigies, Yeezy, and galvanizing rock anthems.
The 14 Best Songs of 2014: Bobby Shmurda, Future Islands, Drake, and More
Marlow Stern
December 31, 2014
Nothing will work sensibly, or fairly, until human responsibility is restored as the activating force for all public choices.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans
Philip K. Howard
December 27, 2014
At this point, the female rapper comes across as fairly sympathetic—that is, until Azealia Banks grabs the mic.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year
Amy Zimmerman
December 24, 2014

Historical Examples

And there was the wench too—he had fairly forgotten her name.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
It was trusted often, was in attendance on the Emperor, and was fairly well paid.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
There is no height to which you may not fairly rise in this country.
The Grand Old Man
Richard B. Cook
And yet in the end Pop was able to muster a fairly good imitation of a frown.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
He could not go until he saw Mark fairly started on the way of recovery.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for fairly

fairly

adverb

(not used with a negative) moderately
as deserved; justly
(not used with a negative) positively; absolutelythe hall fairly rang with applause
archaic clearly
obsolete courteously

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

Word Origin and History for fairly

adv.

c.1400, "handsomely," from fair (adj.) + -ly (2). Meaning "impartially" is from 1670s; "somewhat" is from 1805; meaning "totally" is earlier (1590s).

fairly

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Examples from the Web for fairly

Contemporary Examples

These were conversations that took a fairly grim twist pretty quickly.

We were barely into the appetizer when he asked a fairly basic question—where did my family live?

Yes, it was a fairly disappointing year in music—one devoid of Goth teen prodigies, Yeezy, and galvanizing rock anthems.

Nothing will work sensibly, or fairly, until human responsibility is restored as the activating force for all public choices.

At this point, the female rapper comes across as fairly sympathetic—that is, until Azealia Banks grabs the mic.

Historical Examples

And there was the wench too—he had fairly forgotten her name.

It was trusted often, was in attendance on the Emperor, and was fairly well paid.

There is no height to which you may not fairly rise in this country.

And yet in the end Pop was able to muster a fairly good imitation of a frown.

He could not go until he saw Mark fairly started on the way of recovery.

fairly

Word Origin and History for fairly

adv.

Origin of fairly