Cool MateFair vs Not bad
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fair
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Not bad
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: FairMost common: Fair
| Fair | Not bad | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fer/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt bæd//🇺🇸 //nɑt bæd// |
| Meaning | Treating everyone equally and justly. | It's okay or good. |
| Example | The decision was fair and just for everyone involved. | Your performance was really not bad at all! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, seem, make something, scrupulously, very, absolutely, to be fair, to, be, seem, make something, scrupulously, very, absolutely, to be fair, to | not bad at all, not bad for a beginner, not bad considering |
| Antonyms | unfair, biased, inequitable | bad, terrible, awful |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fare', which refers to the cost of a ticket., Using 'fair' when meaning 'light-skinned', instead of using 'fair-skinned'. | Using in formal conversations, Confusing with 'quite good', Overusing as a positive response |
| Usage notes | Use 'fair' to describe situations or actions that are just and equitable. It's appropriate in most contexts including discussions about justice, games, and competitions. Avoid using it in overly formal or legal contexts where 'equitable' might be better. | Use 'not bad' casually to indicate something is better than expected. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fair vs Not bad
What's the difference between Fair and Not bad?
Fair: Treating everyone equally and justly. Not bad: It's okay or good.
Which is more formal: Fair and Not bad?
Fair is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fair and Not bad?
Fair is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Fair: The decision was fair and just for everyone involved. Not bad: Your performance was really not bad at all!
Can I use Fair and Not bad interchangeably?
Not always. Fair and Not bad are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.