fairness

[fair-nis]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fairness¹

fair ¹ + -ness

Example Sentences

McDonald’s said it is paying heed to game integrity, and noted the current version of Monopoly has been created with safeguards and security protocols to ensure fairness.

Read more on MarketWatch

Sure, players are asking for more pay, but what they are really asking for is fairness and a change in the system at the top.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Another sign of progress is how Ms. Badenoch talks about reforms, which she frames as a matter of human flourishing and fairness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A fractured opposition of 11 candidates is standing against the 92-year-old in the vote, whose credibility and fairness rights groups have called into question.

Read more on Barron's

Bondi rejected that framing, saying that she was restoring fairness to the Justice Department and ending the “weaponization” that had taken place under President Joe Biden.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• candor 
• civility 
• decency 
• decorum 
• equity 
• honesty 
• humanity 
• impartiality 
• integrity 
• legitimacy 
• moderation 
• propriety 
• rationality 
• righteousness 
• suitability 
• tolerance 
• truth 
• veracity