Words / B2

FAIRN-uh-s/ˈfeənəs/

Fairness is equal, reasonable treatment (usually uncountable): fairness of the process; in fairness. Fair is the adjective (already in the dictionary). Justice is heavier and more legal. Appeals cited fairness after the audio cut out. Do not use fairness for “being quite nice”.

Meaning

The quality of treating people equally and reasonably.

Examples

• “Appeals cited fairness after the listening file cut out in hall B.”
• “In fairness, the rubric had been published, which is a set phrase.”

Good to know

fairness of; in fairness; a sense of fairness. Adjective: fair. Heavier: justice. Uncountable. Appeals, sport, and workplace policies.

Near in meaning

justice

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