fare
Americannoun
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the price of conveyance or passage in a bus, train, airplane, or other vehicle.
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a person or persons who pay to be conveyed in a vehicle; paying passenger.
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a person who hires a public vehicle and its driver.
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hearty fare.
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something offered to the public, for entertainment, enjoyment, consumption, etc..
literary fare.
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Archaic. state of things.
verb (used without object)
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to experience good or bad fortune, treatment, etc.; get on.
He fared well in his profession.
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to go; turn out; happen (used impersonally).
It fared ill with him.
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to go; travel.
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to eat and drink.
They fared sumptuously.
noun
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the sum charged or paid for conveyance in a bus, train, aeroplane, etc
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a paying passenger, esp when carried by taxi
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a range of food and drink; diet
verb
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to get on (as specified); manage
he fared well
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to turn out or happen as specified
it fared badly with him
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archaic to eat
we fared sumptuously
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archaic (often foll by forth) to go or travel
Related Words
See food.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fare
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
Explanation
It's not fair that fare means three unrelated things. As a verb, it means to proceed or get along, as in "Fare thee well." As a noun, it can refer to the cost of travel ("Train fare is ten dollars") or to food ("Tatertots are typical cafeteria fare"). Although this word has multiple meanings, they can all be traced back to the Old English root for "journey." If you’re taking a trip, fare well! If you do fare well, you'll have a great time. A taxi looking for a fare might give you a ride to the airport (though you'll have to pay the fare). And if you didn’t bring your own food, you’ll have to eat airplane fare. Fare is a handy word to bring on a journey!
Vocabulary lists containing fare
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"The Civil Rights Movement"
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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.
Fare increases are likely insufficient to offset higher fuel costs for Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, the analyst adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
Digital advertising hoards currently plastered with adverts for the "Big Rail Fare Freeze" are part of the same strategy.
From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026
The “it” spots are what I’ve personally been calling “luxury” froyo: Butterfield Market, Madison Fare and Culture.
From Salon • Jun. 25, 2025
Mayor Karen Bass’ motion to make GoPass permanent also directed Metro staff to explore opportunities to grant unlimited free rides to income-eligible riders through Metro’s Low Income Fare Is Easy, or LIFE, program.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2024
Fare thee well, my darling! good-bye, my angel child! but only for a brief space I bid thee adieu.
From Baron Bruno Or, the Unbelieving Philosopher, and Other Fairy Stories by Morgan, Louisa
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.
