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

This is a character in flux, someone whose illusions of fairness and merit have been shattered by corporate scheming.

From Salon

Badenoch has previously defended the cap saying it was a matter of "fairness" and Conservatives believed people on benefits "should have to make the same choices on having children as everyone else".

From BBC

Social Security remains a lightning rod in American politics, with debates over solvency, benefits and generational fairness heating up ahead of the midterms.

From Salon

Bettag believes CBS News has to do a better job of getting the public to understand the editorial process and how it strives for accuracy and fairness to counter the right-wing narrative of media bias.

From Los Angeles Times

Documents released to the Guardian under Freedom of Information Laws admitted the tool used by the Department for Work and Pensions showed a "statistically significant outcome disparity" in a "fairness analysis".

From BBC

Related Words

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