ENGLISH
REFERENCE

fairness

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈfɛɹnəs// UK //fˈeənəs// fair·ness Archaic Literary

n. the quality of treating people equally or in a way that is right and reasonable. You use this when everyone follows the same rules and nobody has an unfair advantage.

n. impartial and just treatment or behaviour without favouritism or discrimination. Often used in legal, social, or competitive contexts to describe the equitable application of rules.


SIMPLE

The referee made sure the game was played with fairness.

CONTEXTUAL

To ensure fairness in the hiring process, the manager used the same set of questions for every candidate.

COMPLEX

The debate over tax reform centers on the principle of fairness, specifically whether the burden should be distributed according to income or through a flat rate for all citizens.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English fairness, fæȝernesse, from Old English fæġernes (“fairness; beauty; pleasantness”), equivalent to fair + -ness. Cognate with Old High German fagarnessi (“fairness”).

Usage

Commonly follows the preposition 'with' or 'in the interest of'.

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