unfair
uhn-FEH-uh
Unfair (adj) means not fair or just; treating people unequally or wrongly. Example: “The new rule seems unfair because it only affects the youngest players.”
adj
1
Not fair or just; treating people unequally or wrongly.
"The new rule seems unfair because it only affects the youngest players."
"It's unfair to blame the whole team for one person's mistake."
"She thought the referee's decision was unfair."
"It was unfair for the boss to give larger bonuses to his friends."
How to use unfair
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot fair — treating someone badly or wrongly compared to others.
Common pairings
unfair advantage
unfair treatment
unfair to someone
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- unfairs
- Past tense
- unfaired
- Comparative
- unfairer, more unfair
- Superlative
- unfairest, most unfair
Fill the gap
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The new rule seems _____ because it only affects the youngest players.
Etymology
From Old English unfæger ("ugly"), from un- plus fair; the modern sense of "not just" developed later, replacing the original meaning of "unattractive."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for unfair
See all rhymes for unfair →Frequently asked questions
What does “unfair” mean?
The word “unfair” means not fair or just; treating people unequally or wrongly. In plain terms, not fair — treating someone badly or wrongly compared to others.
How do you pronounce “unfair”?
“Unfair” is pronounced uhn-FEH-uh (/ʌnˈfɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “unfair” in a sentence?
Here is “unfair” used in a sentence: “It's unfair to blame the whole team for one person's mistake.”
What part of speech is “unfair”?
“Unfair” is an adjective.
Where does the word “unfair” come from?
The word “unfair” comes from Old English. From Old English unfæger ("ugly"), from un- plus fair; the modern sense of "not just" developed later, replacing the original meaning of "unattractive.".
Is “unfair” a common word?
“Unfair” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between "unfair" and "unjust"?
Both describe wrongful or unequal treatment, but "unfair" is broader and more everyday, applying to anything from a game to a decision, while "unjust" is stronger and often used for serious breaches of justice, morality, or law. An unjust ruling is a graver charge than an unfair one.
What is the difference between "unfair" and "biased"?
"Unfair" describes any treatment that is not just or equal, while "biased" specifically means unfairly favouring one side because of a preconceived preference. Bias is one common cause of unfair treatment, but treatment can be unfair for other reasons too.
What is the opposite of "unfair"?
The opposite of "unfair" is "fair," meaning just, even-handed, and free from favouritism or wrongdoing. Related opposites include "equitable" and "impartial."
What are common collocations with "unfair"?
Common phrases include "unfair advantage," "unfair treatment," and "unfair dismissal," along with the informal "that's not fair." These pairings appear frequently in workplace, legal, and everyday contexts.
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