fairly
- 1To a moderate degree; partly but not fully; somewhat.
The test was fairly difficult, though most students finished on time.
We arrived fairly early and found good seats near the front.
Similarsomewhat, quite, pretty
Note
The everyday degree word grades adjectives and adverbs: fairly dry, fairly early, and fairly recent, as The Economist described the dawn of the oil age in 2013. It sits above slightly and below very, in the same band as pretty, quite and somewhat. Because it means partly rather than fully, it can sound lukewarm in praise: fairly good is a modest compliment, not a warm one.
- 2In a fair manner; without bias or favoritism toward any side or party.
The judge insisted that both sides be treated fairly throughout the trial.
Profits from the sale were divided fairly among the three partners.
Similarjustly
Oppositeunfairly, unjustly, inequitably
Note
Justice as a way of acting: Middle English fayrly, simply fair + -ly. As a manner adverb it attaches to a verb and usually follows it, as in judged fairly, treated fairly, or fairly judged in the passive. Placed after a verb like that, it can only mean justly, its closest synonym. Putting it before an adjective switches it to the "somewhat" meaning.
- 3In an honest and proper way; by legitimate means rather than by trickery.
She won the championship fairly, without breaking a single rule.
He came by the money fairly, through years of patient work.
Similarhonestly, legitimately, squarely, properly
Oppositedishonestly, unfairly, illegitimately
Note
Where the impartial sense weighs one side against another, this one is about legitimate means. The stuffed fox in Richard Jefferies' The Amateur Poacher (1879) "did not come by his death fairly," and come by something fairly remains its natural frame. The "properly" side shows in Alexander Easton's 1859 rules for the Sixth Avenue Railway: passengers must be fairly received or landed, meaning safely and completely aboard or off.
- 4Favorably or auspiciously; in a way that promises or brings good fortune or success.
The tide ran fairly for the rowers, and they reached the island before noon.
The omens read fairly for the wedding, and the whole village turned out to celebrate.
Similarfavorably, auspiciously, propitiously
Oppositeunfavorably, inauspiciously, adversely
Note
Here the good fortune comes from position or circumstance. A town fairly situated for foreign trade is well placed for it, convenient as well as lucky, and that convenience is what commodiously adds. Modern readers tend to hear the "somewhat" meaning in such a phrase. In current prose, well situated or favorably placed says the same thing without that risk.
Less common meanings
- 5Almost; practically; so completely that an action or state very nearly applies in full.
She fairly danced with joy when she heard the good news.
Betty grew so nervous and frightened, that she fairly bawled to her colleague, Moggy, and told her she would not stay in the room unless she sat up all night with her.
1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the ChurchyardSimilarpractically, positively, virtually, almost, nearly
Note
An older intensifier that comes before a vivid verb and insists the word nearly holds literally. Sheridan Le Fanu's frightened maid in The House by the Churchyard (1863) "fairly bawled" to her colleague. The use still appears in the Railway Magazine in 1955, but it now sounds dated. Unlike the "somewhat" meaning, it strengthens rather than softens: fairly danced means all but danced, never danced a little.
- 6In a neat and legible hand; written so that the letters are clear and easy to read.
The scribe wrote out the king's orders fairly on fresh parchment.
She copied the poem fairly into her album, taking pains with every letter.
Note
This sense belongs to the pen: fairly written meant cleanly and legibly written, the quality of a fair copy. John Gauden hoped in 1653 that a blotting pen "will write fairly again," and Swift's mathematical school of 1726 has demonstrations fairly written on a wafer. Today readers would take written fairly as "justly" or "somewhat," so neatly or legibly is the safe modern choice.
- 7In a soft, quiet, or gentle way, making little noise and using little force.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English fayrly (also fayrely, vayrliche), formed from 'fair' plus the suffix '-ly'.