Cool MateFair vs Unprejudiced
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fair
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adjective
Unprejudiced
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: UnprejudicedMost common: Fair
| Fair | Unprejudiced | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fer/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ʌnˈprɛdʒʊdɪst//🇺🇸 //ʌnˈprɛdʒədɪst// |
| Meaning | Treating everyone equally and justly. | Not having unfair opinions about people or things. |
| Example | The decision was fair and just for everyone involved. | An unprejudiced observer will see both sides of the argument. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less 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 | unprejudiced view, unprejudiced judgment, unprejudiced opinion |
| Antonyms | unfair, biased, inequitable | biased, prejudiced, partial, unfair |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fare', which refers to the cost of a ticket., Using 'fair' when meaning 'light-skinned', instead of using 'fair-skinned'. | Confusing with 'biased' which means having unfair feelings or opinions., Using in informal contexts where simpler words are more natural., Spelling it incorrectly as 'unprejudicedly'. |
| 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 'unprejudiced' in formal contexts to describe someone who is fair and open-minded. Avoid in casual speech, where simpler terms like 'fair' might be more common. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fair vs Unprejudiced
What's the difference between Fair and Unprejudiced?
Fair: Treating everyone equally and justly. Unprejudiced: Not having unfair opinions about people or things.
Which is more formal: Fair and Unprejudiced?
Unprejudiced is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Fair and Unprejudiced?
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. Unprejudiced: An unprejudiced observer will see both sides of the argument.
Can I use Fair and Unprejudiced interchangeably?
Not always. Fair and Unprejudiced 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.