‘Fair’ vs ‘Fare’: What’s the Difference?

By Shanea Patterson, updated on March 2, 2023

You might have seen both ‘fair’ and ‘fare’ in your everyday life or in something you were reading. And you might have wondered what the difference is. And which should I use?

In short, the difference is:

  • ‘Fair’ is a noun and refers to the fun place you go with your family with rides and games. It could also be an adverb that refers to impartiality (or unfairness).
  • ‘Fare’ is the price you’re charged to enjoy an event or to travel using some form of public transportation.

These words are homophones, meaning they sound the same, but don’t mean the same thing. Therefore, you shouldn’t use them interchangeably.

An Impartial View of ‘Fair’ and ‘Fare’ 

We know that ‘fair’ refers to something either being just or right. But it might also refer to an event you might’ve attended with your family.

Fairs have rides, games, food, and all kinds of fun. You might see all kinds of vendors there, selling everything from corn dogs and cotton candy to pretzels and pie (yes, pie).

You might also have the opportunity to see farm animals at the fair, such as horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.

But ‘fare’ refers to the money you’re charged to do things like take a train, fly on an airplane, or go to your county fair.

Remember, these are homophones, which means they sound the same but have different meanings.

‘Fair’ vs. ‘Fare’ – What’s the Difference?

As we just explained, ‘fair’ refers to an event or to something that’s just or right.

For example, you might have heard someone say,

“Let’s go to the fair. I want to go on some rides and get some cotton candy.”

Or someone might say,

“Timmy took my water gun. That’s not fair!”

However, ‘fare’ refers specifically to money.

For example, you might hear someone say,

“The train fares have gone down since last month.”

Try not to confuse these two homophones because it will change the meaning of what you're trying to say.

Definition and Meaning of ‘Fair’ and ‘Fare’

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of ‘fair’ is:

  • Marked by honesty and free from self-interest, prejudice, or favor.
  • It also means allowed, due, not very good or very bad, or open to legitimate attack or ridicule.
  • Sometimes, it also means good enough, but not overly so, and fine.
  • It could also mean pleasing to the eye or mind, especially because of fresh, charming, or flawless quality, clean, clear, likely, or utter.
  • Other definitions include favorable to a ship’s course or free of obstacles.

The other side of the definition is a gathering of buyers and sellers at a particular place and time for the trade, and a competitive exhibition, usually with accompanying entertainment and amusements.

The same dictionary defines 'fare' as:

  • Get along, succeed, go, travel, eat, dine, or the price charged for transporting a person.
  • It also means a paying passenger on a public mode of transportation, diet, and material provided for use, consumption, or enjoyment.

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce ‘Fair’ and ‘Fare’

Wondering how to pronounce these words? Here’s a quick guide.

To pronounce both words correctly, here’s the phonetic spelling:

fEUH

How to Use ‘Fair’ and ‘Fare’ in a Sentence

We know what the words mean and how to pronounce them. Let’s move on to using them in a sentence.

Take a look at some examples.

Fair

  • Let’s go to the fair before it’s over. We usually go every year on carload night.
  • It’s been a while since we’ve gone to the fair together as a family. Why don’t we go tonight?
  • It’s not fair! Why does Sierra get to go to the mall, and I have to stay here and do the laundry?
  • I’m not sure why we ever come to the fair. I hate crowds, and the lines are almost as long as at an amusement park.
  • We walked past the fair, and I wanted to go check it out, but my friends didn’t want to. They thought it was lame.

Fare

  • We need fare to get on the buses. We’re going to Yankee Stadium to see a game.
  • The fare for your plane ticket was $350. When will you be paying me back?
  • I don’t think I have enough for the fare to get back home. I might have to call my auntie and ask her for money.
  • I had to save up the fare for my airplane ticket to Africa for six months. It will be so worth it when I finally land in Ghana.
  • The fare for the train ticket to NYC is only $25 round trip. Do you have enough money to come with me?

Final Thoughts on ‘Fair’ and ‘Fare’

To recap, we learned that:

  • ‘Fair’ is a noun and refers to the fun place you go with your family with rides and games. It could also be an adverb that refers to impartiality (or unfairness).
  • ‘Fare’ is the price you’re charged to enjoy an event or to travel using some form of public transportation.

These words are homophones, meaning they sound the same, but don’t mean the same thing. Therefore, you shouldn’t use them interchangeably.

If you ever get stuck on anything, don’t be afraid to come back and review what you learned. We’ve also got a ton of other content on confusing words and phrases people usually have trouble with when they're learning the language.

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Written By:
Shanea Patterson
Shanea Patterson is a writer based in New York and loves writing for brands big and small. She has a master's degree in professional writing from New York University and a bachelor's degree in English from Mercy College.

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