Distinguishing Between Fair & Fare

Fair and Fare are two words that are often confused due to the appearing similarity between their meanings. In reality, there is a difference between the two words. The word ‘fare’ is used to mean ‘charge or fees to be paid,’ such as in the sentences:

1. You have to pay fare at the tollgate.
2. Children parks collect entrance fare.

In both given sentences, the word ‘fare’ is used to mean ‘charge or fees to be paid.’ On the other hand, the word ‘fair’ is used in the sense of ‘beautiful’ or ‘white,’ as in the sentences:

1. She looks fair.
2. He is of a fair complexion.

In both given sentences, the word ‘fair’ is used in the sense of ‘beautiful’ or ‘white.’ The word ‘fair’ is sometimes used figuratively in the sense of ‘reasonably,’ as in the sentence ‘the price looks fair.’ The word ‘fair’ has the adverbial form in the word ‘fairly,’ and the word ‘fare’ is occasionally used as a verb too in the sense of ‘perform,’ as in the sentence ‘he fared well in the examinations.’

Key Takeaways

• The word ‘fare’ is used to mean ‘charge or fees to be paid.’
• The word ‘fair’ is used in the sense of ‘beautiful’ or ‘white.’
• ‘Fair’ is sometimes used figuratively in the sense of ‘reasonably,’ and ‘fare’ is occasionally used as a verb in the sense of ‘perform.’