fairness
quality of just, equal treatment
The quality of treating all people in the same honest and just way.
the fairness of [a decision/treatment/rule]
- Children often complain loudly when they feel a lack of fairness.
- The new law was designed to improve fairness in the workplace.
- Employees questioned the fairness of the promotion process.
- A basic sense of fairness tells us that everyone should get a chance to speak.
- The referee's fairness was praised by both teams.
- My sister has a strong sense of fairness.
- We talked about the fairness of the school's rules.
- People want fairness when they look for a job.
- The teacher showed fairness and listened to every student.
- Many laws try to protect fairness for all people.
reasonableness or balance of something
The quality of something being reasonable and not too hard or too easy.
the fairness of [a test/price/rule]
- Students complained about the fairness of the exam after several questions covered material that had not been taught.
- The committee reviewed the fairness of the new grading policy.
- Many customers questioned the fairness of the sudden price increase.
- He accepted the punishment but still doubted its fairness.
- An independent auditor was hired to evaluate the fairness of the selection process.
- The students talked about the fairness of the test.
- Some workers did not agree with the fairness of the new rules.
- People asked about the fairness of the ticket prices.
- Parents discussed the fairness of the school's decision.
- We checked the fairness of the game before we started.
lightness of skin color
How light a person's skin looks in color.
the fairness of [someone's] skin/complexion
- The fairness of her skin made her sensitive to strong sunlight.
- Some beauty products advertise that they can increase skin fairness.
- Photographers must adjust lighting to suit the fairness of the model's complexion.
- He inherited the fairness of his mother's skin and the dark hair of his father.
- Discussions about fairness of skin can be sensitive because they relate to ideas about beauty and race.
- The fairness of his skin makes him burn easily in the sun.
- Some people use cream to change the fairness of their skin.
- Doctors warn that trying to increase skin fairness can be unsafe.
- Her makeup matches the fairness of her face.
- We should not judge people by the fairness of their skin.
physical beauty, especially female
Beautiful appearance, especially of a woman, in a literary or old style.
the fairness of [someone's] face/features
- Poets of that age often praised the fairness of their beloved.
- The portrait captures not only her fairness but also her quiet strength.
- Stories from the period speak of queens whose fairness was known across the land.
- He was struck silent by the sudden fairness of the stranger's face.
- The novel dwells on the fading fairness of its aging heroine.
- Old poems talk about the fairness of a lady.
- Writers sometimes use 'fairness' to mean beauty.
- In this story, her fairness makes many men love her.
- The painter tried to show her fairness in the picture.
- Modern English does not often use 'fairness' to mean beauty.
lack of systematic bias
In technical or legal talk, when a system or rule does not give better or worse results to one group than to another.
fairness of [a system/algorithm/process]
- Researchers proposed several measures to quantify algorithmic fairness in hiring tools.
- Regulators are increasingly concerned about the fairness of automated credit-scoring systems.
- The company introduced fairness constraints to reduce bias in its recommendation engine.
- Legal scholars debate how to define fairness in the use of predictive policing models.
- Ensuring statistical fairness often requires careful analysis of outcomes across different demographic groups.
- The team tested the fairness of their AI system.
- New laws ask for fairness in online ads.
- Scientists measure fairness by looking at results for different groups.
- Engineers talk about fairness when they build decision tools.
- Banks must show the fairness of their credit scores.
- Base: fairness
- Plural: fairness
a sense of fairness
1inner feeling of what is fair
A natural feeling inside a person that people should be treated in a fair way.
- Even very young children have a strong sense of fairness.
- Her decision came from a deep sense of fairness rather than from the rules.
- A healthy society depends on its citizens' sense of fairness.
ensure fairness
1make sure things are fair
To take steps so that a process or situation is fair to everyone.
- The company hired an outside expert to ensure fairness in the hiring process.
- Clear rules help ensure fairness in competitions.
- We must ensure fairness when we divide the work among team members.
fairness and equality
1idea of being fair and equal
Used to talk about the goal that people are treated fairly and have the same rights and chances.
- The campaign focuses on fairness and equality in education.
- Many laws are written to promote fairness and equality in the workplace.
- They organized a march to demand fairness and equality for all citizens.
in all fairness
1to be completely fair or balanced
Used before you say something that gives a more fair or balanced view of a person or situation.
- In all fairness, he did warn you that the project would be difficult.
- The movie was slow, but in all fairness, the acting was excellent.
- She can be strict, but in all fairness, she treats everyone the same.
in the interests of fairness
1for the sake of fairness
Used to say that you do something so that people are treated in a fair and equal way.
- In the interests of fairness, both sides were given extra time to speak.
- The judge ordered a new hearing in the interests of fairness.
- We changed the schedule in the interests of fairness to staff with children.