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Synonyms

fairness

American  
[fair-nis] / ˈfɛər nɪs /

noun

  1. 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.

  2. 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.


Etymology

Origin of fairness

fair 1 + -ness

Explanation

Fairness is the quality of making judgments that are free from discrimination. Judges, umpires, and teachers should all strive to practice fairness. Fairness comes from the Old English fæger, meaning "pleasing, attractive." This makes sense given that the word is also used to describe physical beauty. Fairness can refer to someone's good looks, or if someone is very pale and blond, you might notice the fairness of her complexion. When someone shows fairness is making a decision, he is pleasing all parties involved and offering a solution that is attractive to everyone.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing fairness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

UMA “governs this process to ensure fairness and transparency,” Polymarket says on its website.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 11, 2026

"Our manifesto sets out a new direction for Wales – one rooted in fairness but driven by ambition," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

In fairness, Musk didn’t conjure up this idea all on his own.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Perhaps that’s somewhat different from covering a duvet with a bedspread — although, in fairness, that doesn’t exist either.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

In the interest of fairness, the CPS resorted to a lottery.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt