fare

[fair]

noun

1. the price of conveyance or passage in a bus, train, airplane, or other vehicle.

2. a person or persons who pay to be conveyed in a vehicle; paying passenger.

3. a person who hires a public vehicle and its driver.

4. food; diet.

   hearty fare.

5. something offered to the public, for entertainment, enjoyment, consumption, etc..

   literary fare.

6. Archaic.,  state of things.

verb (used without object)

fared, faring 

1. to experience good or bad fortune, treatment, etc.; get on.

   He fared well in his profession.

2. to go; turn out; happen (used impersonally).

   It fared ill with him.

3. to go; travel.

4. to eat and drink.

   They fared sumptuously.

fare

/ fɛə /

noun

1. the sum charged or paid for conveyance in a bus, train, aeroplane, etc

2. a paying passenger, esp when carried by taxi

3. a range of food and drink; diet

verb

1. to get on (as specified); manage

   he fared well

2. to turn out or happen as specified

   it fared badly with him

3. archaic,  to eat

   we fared sumptuously

4. archaic,  (often foll by forth) to go or travel

Other Word Forms

• farer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fare¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English faren, Old English faran; cognate with German fahren, Old Norse fara, Gothic faran; akin to emporium, port ⁵, pram ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of fare¹

Old English faran ; related to Old Norse fara to travel, Old High German faran to go, Greek poros ford

Synonym Study

See food.

Example Sentences

“Our staff keeps petty cash in case one of our clients needs an Uber or a hotel night or bus fare to get back home. The court doesn’t provide that.”

From Los Angeles Times

Though a vintage neon sign out front advertises steaks, barbecue and lamb chops, the fare is Chinese.

From Los Angeles Times

It has committed itself to a René-esque welfare boost, lowering the retirement age back to 63, slashing island bus fares by 40% and increasing social security benefits.

From BBC

This set-up is illegal and unsafe, but Kadir tells me his family would rather take the risk and make their own meals, than settle for the free hotel restaurant fare provided.

From BBC

Spirit Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier known for its bright yellow planes and basic fares, plans to furlough about one-third of its flight attendants as it struggles to cut costs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• expense 
• price 
• tariff 
• ticket 
• toll