fairness
Americannoun
-
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.
Etymology
Origin of fairness
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.
Vocabulary lists containing fairness
Journalism
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"CLEP Principles of Management," Vocabulary from Chapter 6
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The Suffix -ness, Part 2
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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.
In a fact sheet about the Beijing summit, released Sunday, the White House adopted the “constructive strategic partnership” framing, although it added “on the basis of fairness and reciprocity.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
And recent arguments over the English student loan system have put generational fairness even more firmly onto the agenda.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
FCC, the landmark 1969 decision upholding broad federal authority over broadcast fairness rules based on spectrum scarcity.
From Salon • May 13, 2026
Kelly said Trump's visit would focus on "rebalancing the relationship with China and prioritizing reciprocity and fairness to restore American economic independence."
From Barron's • May 10, 2026
Reverend Harris ran Clarkebury with an iron hand and an abiding sense of fairness.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
