Fairly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb /ˈfer-lē/ fair·ly

Meaning & Definition of Fairly

Fairly (adverb)

  1. in a handsome manner
  2. in a gentle manner, quietly
  3. in a courteous manner

Fairly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to some degree or extent

    "for someone without professional training, she sings fairly well"

    similar: enough, kindly (chiefly Southern), kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, something, somewhat, sort of, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts, to a degree
    related: acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway
    near: awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially

  2. according to the rules or the law

    "had acquired the land fairly"

    similar: clean, cleanly, fair, legally
    related: ethically, high-mindedly, morally, nobly, honorably
    opposite: dirty, illegally
    near: ignobly, immorally, underhandedly, unethically, dishonorably

  3. very close to but not completely

    "he fairly knocked me flat on my face as he ran by"

    similar: about, all but, almost, borderline, fair (chiefly British), feckly (chiefly Scottish), more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, just about, pretty much, within an inch of
    related: appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
    near: absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fairly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fairly:

Chiefly Southern: kindly
Chiefly British: fair
Chiefly Scottish: feckly
enough, kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather, relatively, something, somewhat, sort of, clean, cleanly, legally, about, all but, almost, borderline, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, a bit, after a sort, a little, a mite, a tad, a touch, of sorts, to a degree, as good as, just about, pretty much

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Fairly

Words with the opposite meaning of Fairly:

dirty, illegally

Related Words for Fairly

acceptably, decently, passably, tolerably, little, negligibly, nominally, slightly, vaguely, half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly, partway, ethically, high-mindedly, morally, nobly, honorably, appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly

Near Antonyms of Fairly

awfully, beastly, deadly, especially, exceedingly, exceptionally, extremely, frightfully, greatly, heavily, highly, hugely, mightily, mortally, particularly, surpassingly, terribly, very, considerably, extensively, significantly, substantially, ignobly, immorally, underhandedly, unethically, dishonorably, absolutely, altogether, completely

Origin & Etymology of Fairly

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Fairly

Frequently Asked Questions about Fairly

What does "Fairly" mean?

"Fairly" means in a handsome manner. As an adverb, it is defined as: in a handsome manner. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fairly"?

Other words for "Fairly" include enough, kindly, kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty and quite. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fairly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fairly"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fairly". Common alternatives include enough, kindly, kind of, like, moderately, more or less, pretty, quite, rather and relatively.

What is the opposite of "Fairly"?

Antonyms of "Fairly" include dirty and illegally. Near antonyms include awfully, beastly, deadly and especially.

How do you use "Fairly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fairly" in a sentence: "for someone without professional training, she sings fairly well"; "had acquired the land fairly"; "he fairly knocked me flat on my face as he ran by".

Is "Fairly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fairly" is an adverb.

Is "Fairly" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Fairly" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Fairly"?

"Fairly" is pronounced /ˈfer-lē/ and divided into syllables as fair·ly.