fairness

[ fair-nis ]

/ ˈfɛər nɪs /

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Definition of fairness

noun

the state, condition, or quality of being fair, or free from bias or injustice; evenhandedness: I have to admit, in all fairness, that she would only be paid for part of the work.

the quality of being light of hair or complexion: Due to the fairness of her skin, she had to wear extra sunscreen even in the winter.One of the traits that he got from his father was the fairness of his hair.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of fairness

fair¹ + -ness

Words nearby fairness

fair list, fairly, fair market price, fair-minded, Fairmont, fairness, fairness doctrine, Fair Oaks, fair play, fair rent, fair sex

How to use fairness in a sentence

In all fairness to Jay, he told The Intercept that he never expected to be a major figure in Serial.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In all fairness, too, Marshall has at the ready pretty rational reasons for almost every change he made in this adaptation.
Rob Marshall Defends ‘Into the Woods’|Kevin Fallon|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Organized money swamped organized people (in fairness not all outside money was right-wing).
Undo Citizens United? We’d Only Scratch the Surface|Jedediah Purdy|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All students and faculty in the UT community should support the cause of fairness in admissions.
The University of Texas’s Machiavellian War on Its Regent|David Davis|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Sensational and often reckless reports in the press threaten the fairness of a trial.
The Myth of the Central Park Five|Edward Conlon|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For it must always be remembered in fairness that the creed of violence has no necessary connection with socialism.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Her resentment of that undermined all the fairness of her logic, and even triumphed over the sword of her suspense.
Hilda|Sarah Jeanette Duncan
There dwelt they throughout the winter & were well entertained in all fairness & hospitality.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson
"Say something about general fairness—the other side," prompted Parvill, flattered but a little surprised by my appeal.
The New Machiavelli|Herbert George Wells
Bess had very positive ideas of fairness, however, and would not give up.
The Story of the Big Front Door|Mary Finley Leonard