fare
FEH-uh
Fare (noun) means the money a passenger pays for a bus, train, taxi, or plane ticket. Example: “Children under five pay no fare on most of the local trains.”
noun
1
The money a passenger pays for a bus, train, taxi, or plane ticket.
"Children under five pay no fare on most of the local trains."
"The bus fare went up by twenty pence this month."
"She didn't have enough cash for the taxi fare."
2
A paying passenger, especially in a taxi.
"The taxi driver chatted with his fare all the way to the airport."
"Rain meant there was a fare waiting at every corner."
"The cabbie picked up his last fare of the night near the station."
3
Food and drink, especially the kind served somewhere in particular.
"The cafe serves traditional Italian fare, mostly pasta and fresh bread."
"Festival fare ranges from fried onions to sweet pancakes."
"The pub is known for simple, hearty fare like pies and stews."
verb
1
To get on, progress, or turn out in a specified way (usually "fare well" or "fare badly").
"Smaller shops may fare badly when a large supermarket opens nearby."
"How did you fare in the exam?"
"The new restaurant has fared well despite the competition nearby."
How to use fare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs a noun, the price of a ride, or the food on offer; as a verb, to get on or do in a certain way.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "fair" (just, or a funfair) — they sound identical but are unrelated words.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bus fare
taxi fare
fare well
simple fare
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Word forms
- Plural
- fares
- Third person singular
- fares
- Past tense
- fared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Children under five pay no _____ on most of the local trains.
Etymology
From Old English fær and faru, both meaning "journey" — the same root that gives us "farewell" (literally "travel well").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for fare
See all rhymes for fare →Frequently asked questions
What does “fare” mean?
The word “fare” means the money a passenger pays for a bus, train, taxi, or plane ticket. In plain terms, as a noun, the price of a ride, or the food on offer; as a verb, to get on or do in a certain way.
How do you pronounce “fare”?
“Fare” is pronounced FEH-uh (/ˈfɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fare” in a sentence?
Here is “fare” used in a sentence: “The bus fare went up by twenty pence this month.”
What part of speech is “fare”?
Depending on how it is used, “fare” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fare” come from?
The word “fare” comes from Old English. From Old English fær and faru, both meaning "journey" — the same root that gives us "farewell" (literally "travel well").
Is “fare” a common word?
“Fare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fare” have?
“Fare” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the money a passenger pays for a bus, train, taxi, or plane ticket.
What is the difference between 'fare' and 'fee'?
A 'fare' is specifically the money a passenger pays to travel by bus, train, taxi, or plane. A 'fee' is a payment for a service, membership, or professional advice. You pay a bus fare but a lawyer's fee.
What is the difference between 'fare' and 'fair'?
'Fare' and 'fair' sound alike but differ in meaning. 'Fare' refers to travel money, a passenger, food, or how someone gets on, as in 'fare well'. 'Fair' means just and reasonable, light in colour, or a public event. They are homophones with no shared meaning.
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