fairness

fair-ness · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The quality of treating people equally or in a just manner.

  2. 2.

    The quality of being reasonable and impartial.

  3. 3.

    (dated) The quality of being light in color or beautiful.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in all fairness — used to introduce a point that moderates criticism
  • •
    fairness doctrine — (US) a former policy requiring balanced broadcast coverage

Related words

Antonyms: bias, injustice, unfairness
See also: equity, fair, impartiality, justice
Synonyms: equity, impartiality, justice, objectivity

Etymology

From Old English faeger meaning "beautiful, lovely, pleasant" + -ness. The sense evolved from "beauty" to "justice, equity" in Middle English.