B2nounsocietylaw
US/ˈfer.nəs/
UK/ˈfeə.nəs/
the quality of treating people equally and according to what is right
In context
Parents must show fairness when they treat all their children.
The referee was praised for his fairness during the match.
Many workers question the fairness of the new pay system.
Words that go with fairness
noun + preposition
- sense of fairnessChildren have a strong sense of fairness.
- fairness ofThe fairness of the exam was never in doubt.
- lack of fairnessWorkers complained about a lack of fairness.
adjective + noun
- basic fairnessBasic fairness demands that both sides are heard.
verb + noun
- ensure fairnessNew rules will ensure fairness in hiring.
- question the fairnessCritics question the fairness of the trial.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
the fair of this decisionCorrect: the fairness of this decision