English Lexicon

Fair-Play

/ˈfɛrˌpleɪ/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The principle of treating all participants in a game or competition equally and with respect.

    "In sports, fair-play is essential to ensure that all players have an equal chance of winning."
  2. 2

    A code of conduct that emphasizes honesty and integrity in competition.

    "The tournament organizers stressed the importance of fair-play among all competitors."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'fair-play' originates from the combination of 'fair', derived from Old English 'fæger', meaning beautiful or just, and 'play', which comes from Old English 'plegian', meaning to engage in activity. The phrase evolved in the late 19th century to denote adherence to rules and ethics in sports and games.

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