fairly
FEH-uh-lee
Fairly (adv) means to a moderate or reasonable extent; quite. Example: “The test was fairly difficult.”
adv
1
To a moderate or reasonable extent; quite.
"The test was fairly difficult."
"She speaks French fairly well."
"It's a fairly small town, but it has everything we need."
2
In a fair, just, or unbiased manner.
"The judge treated both sides fairly."
"The teacher marked all the essays fairly, without favouring anyone."
"If we play fairly, everyone will have a chance to win."
How to use fairly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "moderately/quite" or "in a fair, just way," depending on context.
Common mistake
"Fairly good" (moderately good) is weaker than "very good" — don't use it when you mean something is excellent.
Common pairings
fairly well
fairly certain
treat fairly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more fairly, fairlier
- Superlative
- most fairly, fairliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The test was _____ difficult.
Etymology
Came from Middle English fayrly, fayrely, vayrliche, equivalent to fair plus -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fairly
See all rhymes for fairly →Frequently asked questions
What does “fairly” mean?
The word “fairly” means to a moderate or reasonable extent; quite. In plain terms, either "moderately/quite" or "in a fair, just way," depending on context.
How do you pronounce “fairly”?
“Fairly” is pronounced FEH-uh-lee (/ˈfɛɹ.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “fairly” in a sentence?
Here is “fairly” used in a sentence: “The test was fairly difficult.”
What part of speech is “fairly”?
“Fairly” is an adverb.
Is “fairly” a common word?
“Fairly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fairly” have?
“Fairly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to a moderate or reasonable extent; quite.
What is the difference between 'fairly' and 'very'?
'Fairly' signals a moderate degree, more than a little but well short of the maximum. 'Very' pushes toward the high end. Something 'fairly good' is decent and acceptable; something 'very good' is excellent. Speakers often use 'fairly' to hedge, softening a judgement rather than committing to a strong one.
Does 'fairly' also mean 'in a fair way'?
Yes, that is a separate sense. When you 'treat people fairly' or 'play fairly,' the word means justly, honestly, and without bias. In the sense defined here, as in 'fairly warm' or 'fairly certain,' it instead marks degree, meaning 'moderately.' Context makes clear which meaning applies, and the two rarely cause confusion.
Is 'fairly' formal or informal?
It sits comfortably in both registers. You can write 'the results were fairly consistent' in a report or say 'it's fairly busy today' in casual conversation. It is a neutral, everyday intensifier. In very informal speech, 'pretty' often replaces it, so 'pretty busy' carries much the same moderate force.
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