fairly
Americanadverb
-
in a fair manner; justly or honestly; impartially.
-
moderately; tolerably.
a fairly heavy rain.
-
properly; legitimately.
a claim fairly made.
-
Chiefly Southern U.S.
-
The wheels fairly spun.
-
He slipped off the roof and fairly broke his neck.
-
-
Archaic. clearly; distinctly.
fairly seen.
-
Obsolete. gently; softly.
-
Obsolete. with respect and courtesy.
adverb
-
(not used with a negative) moderately
-
as deserved; justly
-
(not used with a negative) positively; absolutely
the hall fairly rang with applause
-
archaic clearly
-
obsolete courteously
Etymology
Origin of fairly
A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at fair 1, -ly
Explanation
When you do something fairly, you treat everyone with equal consideration. Sharing a pizza fairly between six people is easy: just give each person one slice. A teacher who doesn't treat all students fairly isn't a very good teacher — and a police officer who doesn't act fairly toward all citizens is also doing a poor job. When you behave fairly, you're unbiased and impartial, and you follow the rules. You can also use this adverb to mean "to a large degree" or "reasonably." For example, you could say, "I'm fairly certain that it's going to snow again tomorrow."
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.
“It’s the one bill that protects commercial tenants, and it’s a fairly toothless bill because they don’t have to acknowledge it, unless you make them acknowledge it,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
The platform uses reference rates to ensure the contracts remain fairly priced.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
It was notable that Guardiola also said: "In the end, I know fairly that what we won we won on the pitch. We don't have any doubts."
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Bartlett said utility acquisitions are fairly straightforward and that the combination of the two companies could benefit customers, but NextEra must prove it.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
It was cloudy and fairly warm—close to fifty—and had rained the night before.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
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.
