fairness

Everyday

1. Fairness means treating people equally and justly, following the rules, and not cheating or favouring anyone. tree →
2. Fairness can mean having a pale skin or light hair (old use). tree →
3. Fairness can also mean great beauty (old use). tree →

In the lessons

At school, fairness is a key value: taking turns, sharing equally, playing by the rules, giving everyone a chance to speak. Teachers explain that fair does not always mean the same — it can mean everyone gets what they need. In maths, fair sharing is division into equal parts; a fair dice or coin gives every result an equal chance (probability). In sports, fair play awards. In stories, characters may fight for fairness and justice. Phrases: in fairness, fairness to all, a sense of fairness, out of fairness.

Examples

• The teacher's fairness made everyone trust her. tree →
• In fairness, he did try his best. tree →
• Taking turns is about fairness. tree →
• Fairness means the same rules for everyone. tree →
• We shared the 12 sweets with fairness: 4 each for 3 friends. tree →
• A good referee shows fairness to both teams. tree →
• Anyone who picked an apple gained admittance into the golden castle, and there in a silver room sat an enchanted Princess of surpassing fairness and beauty. tree →

Note

Uncountable. From «fair» + «-ness». «Fair» also means a market or show (a funfair), and light-coloured (fair hair) — and it sounds like «fare» (the price of a bus or train ticket). Maths: fair sharing means equal parts, with no remainder left unfairly.