fairly

adverb

fair·​ly ˈfer-lē 

1

: in a handsome manner

a table fairly set

2

obsolete

a

: in a gentle manner : quietly

b

: in a courteous manner

3

: so to speak : nearly, practically

fairly bursting with pride

4

a

: in a proper or legal manner

fairly priced stocks

b

: without bias or distortion : impartially

a story told fairly and objectively

5

: to a full degree or extent : plainly, distinctly

had fairly caught sight of him

6

: rather sense 5, moderately

a fairly easy job

Synonyms

• enough
• kindly [chiefly Southern]
• kind of
• like
• moderately
• more or less
• pretty
• quite
• rather
• relatively
• something
• somewhat
• sort of

Examples of fairly in a Sentence

It's a fairly common disease.

I told the story as fairly as possible.

He reports fairly on the issues.

He beat me fairly and squarely.

Recent Examples on the Web

How Klingberg and Regula might alter blue-line plans The outcomes and options pertaining to Klingberg are fairly clear. —Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025

From fairly early on, Paradise puts its cards on the table and, from there, isn’t really coy at all. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025

Doing Renewable Energy Right Industries inside and outside renewables have a chance to do the energy transition right—fairly and equitably. —Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 24 Jan. 2025

Advertisement Natural disasters can greatly benefit or gravely wound political figures — fairly and unfairly. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fairly

adverb

fair·​ly ˈfa(ə)r-lē 

ˈfe(ə)r-

1

: in a favorable manner

fairly situated

2

: in a manner of speaking : nearly

fairly bursting with pride

3

: in a fair manner : justly

treat each person fairly

4

: for the most part : rather

a fairly easy job