Exhibition vs. Fair — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
An exhibition is a formal display or presentation of items, often in a museum or gallery, focused on a particular subject. A fair is a larger event often featuring multiple vendors, games, and attractions.
Difference Between Exhibition and Fair
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Key Differences
An exhibition is a curated display or showcase, usually designed to present a particular type of content such as art, historical artifacts, or scientific achievements. These are often held in museums, galleries, or exhibition halls and are usually thematic, revolving around a single subject or concept. On the other hand, a fair is a broader gathering that can include various vendors, food stalls, games, and sometimes even rides. It can serve multiple purposes like commerce, education, and entertainment and may not focus on a single theme.
In an exhibition, the emphasis is often on education and enlightenment, targeting an audience interested in the subject matter. It often involves careful planning and curation by experts in the field. In contrast, a fair tends to be more eclectic, aiming to draw a wide range of attendees. It may or may not have an educational component, and is often more focused on recreation or commercial transactions.
One can expect an exhibition to be more formal in setting and tone. It may even have guided tours, lectures, or interactive sessions. A fair, however, is generally more relaxed and casual, offering a variety of activities suitable for all ages, from children to adults. Moreover, while exhibitions usually charge an entry fee or require a ticket, fairs might be free or charge a nominal fee for certain activities or zones.
To summarize, an exhibition is more formal, subject-specific, and educationally oriented, typically taking place in institutional settings like museums. A fair is a larger, more general event that may incorporate elements of trade, entertainment, and community engagement, often occurring in open spaces or large halls.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Educational, informative
Commercial, recreational
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Setting
Museum, gallery
Open space, large hall
Audience
Specific interest group
General public
Tone
Formal
Casual
Fees
Usually ticketed
May be free or nominal
Compare with Definitions
Exhibition
A public presentation of artistic works.
I visited an exhibition of modern sculptures downtown.
Fair
A trade show or exhibition of products.
The job fair offered many employment opportunities.
Exhibition
A visual narrative on a theme.
The photography exhibition told a compelling story of migration.
Fair
An event for recreation and entertainment.
The Renaissance fair was like stepping back in time.
Exhibition
A curated showcase of a particular subject.
The exhibition on climate change was very enlightening.
Fair
An organized event to raise funds or awareness.
The school fair was a charity event.
Exhibition
A formal display of items, usually in a museum.
The art exhibition showcased works from the Renaissance period.
Fair
A fair (archaic: faire or fayre) is a gathering of people for a variety of entertainment or commercial activities. It is normally of the essence of a fair that it is temporary with scheduled times lasting from an afternoon to several weeks.
Exhibition
An organized event displaying specific industrial or commercial products.
The tech exhibition featured the latest innovations.
Fair
Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination
The group has achieved fair and equal representation for all its members
A fairer distribution of wealth
Exhibition
An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, park, library, exhibition hall, or World's fairs.
Fair
(of hair or complexion) light; blonde
A pretty girl with long fair hair
Exhibition
The act or an instance of exhibiting.
Fair
Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount
He did a fair bit of coaching
Exhibition
Something exhibited; an exhibit.
Fair
(of weather) fine and dry
A fair autumn day
Exhibition
A large-scale public showing, as of art objects or industrial or agricultural products.
Fair
Beautiful
The fairest of her daughters
Exhibition
Chiefly British A grant given to a scholar by a school or university.
Fair
Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage
No one could say he played fair
Exhibition
An instance of exhibiting, or something exhibited.
Fair
To a high degree
She'll be fair delighted to see you
Exhibition
A large-scale public showing of objects or products.
There was an art exhibition on in the town hall.
A boat exhibition
Fair
A beautiful woman
Pursuing his fair in a solitary street
Exhibition
A public display, intentional or otherwise, generally characterised as negative, a shameful exhibition or a disgusting exhibition
Fair
A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment
I won a goldfish at the fair
Exhibition
A demonstration of personal skill or feelings.
Fair
A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.
Exhibition
(UK) A financial award or prize given to a student (who becomes an exhibitioner) by a school or university, usually on the basis of academic merit.
Fair
(of the weather) become fine
Looks like it's fairing off some
Exhibition
(sports) A game which does not impact the standings for any major cup or competition.
Fair
Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings
It is fully faired and race ready
Exhibition
The act of exhibiting for inspection, or of holding forth to view; manifestation; display.
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
Exhibition
That which is exhibited, held forth, or displayed; also, any public show; a display of works of art, or of feats of skill, or of oratorical or dramatic ability; as, an exhibition of animals; an exhibition of pictures, statues, etc.; an industrial exhibition.
Fair
Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.
Exhibition
Sustenance; maintenance; allowance, esp. for meat and drink; pension.
What maintenance he from his friends receives,Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
I have given more exhibitions to scholars, in my days, than to the priests.
Fair
Of light complexion
Fair skin.
Exhibition
The act of administering a remedy.
Fair
Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.
Exhibition
The act of exhibiting;
A remarkable exhibition of musicianship
Fair
Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.
Exhibition
A collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display
Fair
Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
Fair
Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
Fair
Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.
Fair
(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.
Fair
In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.
Fair
Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
Fair
(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.
Fair
(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.
Fair
A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market
We attended the annual book fair.
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
Fair
An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar
A church fair.
Fair
Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.
Monday's child is fair of face.
There was once a knight who wooed a fair young maid.
Fair
Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.
One's fair name
After scratching out and replacing various words in the manuscript, he scribed a fair copy to send to the publisher.
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
Fair
Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
Fair
Favorable to a ship's course.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.
A fair mark;
In fair sight;
A fair view
Fair
(shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
(baseball) Between the baselines.
Fair
Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.
Fair
Not a no ball.
Fair
(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.
Fair
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?
Fair
(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.
Fair
(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
Fair
(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.
Fair
A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.
Fair
An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.
Fair
An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.
Fair
A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).
Fair
(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).
Fair
(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).
Fair
To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.
Fair
(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fair
Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably
Fair
Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.
Fair
Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
Fair
Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over.
Fair
Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; - said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.
Fair
Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.
Fair
Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; - said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.
Fair
Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.
Fair
Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.
Fair
Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.
Fair
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
Fair
Fairness, beauty.
Fair
A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my fair.
Fair
Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee !
Fair
A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.
Fair
A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.
Fair
A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
Fair
An exhibition by a number of organizations, including governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting people with such organizations or their members, not primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's Fair.
Meet me in St. Louis, LouisMeet me at the fairDon't tell me the lights are shiningAnyplace but there.
Fair
To make fair or beautiful.
Fairing the foul.
Fair
To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.
Fair
A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
Fair
Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair
Fair
A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
Fair
A sale of miscellany; often for charity;
The church bazaar
Fair
Join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly
Fair
Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul
Fair
Showing lack of favoritism;
The cold neutrality of an impartial judge
Fair
More than adequate in quality;
Fair work
Fair
Not excessive or extreme;
A fairish income
Reasonable prices
Fair
Visually appealing;
Our fair city
Fair
Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens
Fair
(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag
Fair
Of no exceptional quality or ability;
A novel of average merit
Only a fair performance of the sonata
In fair health
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
The performance was middling at best
Fair
Attractively feminine;
The fair sex
Fair
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Fair
Free of clouds or rain;
Today will be fair and warm
Fair
(used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;
A fair complexion
Fair
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Fair
In a fair evenhanded manner;
Deal fairly with one another
Fair
A gathering featuring multiple vendors, games, and attractions.
We had so much fun at the county fair.
Fair
A competitive event showcasing livestock or agricultural products.
We bought fresh produce at the agricultural fair.
Common Curiosities
Can a fair be educational?
Yes, some fairs like science fairs have an educational focus.
What is a fair?
A fair is a broader gathering featuring vendors, games, and possibly rides.
Are exhibitions always indoors?
While commonly indoors, some exhibitions can be outdoor installations.
Do all fairs involve rides and games?
No, some fairs like trade fairs or job fairs do not have rides or games.
Is admission to exhibitions always paid?
Most exhibitions have an entry fee, but some may be free.
How long does a fair usually last?
The duration of a fair can vary, ranging from a single day to several weeks.
What is an exhibition?
An exhibition is a formal, often thematic, display or showcase usually held in museums or galleries.
Can an exhibition feature performances?
Yes, some exhibitions include live performances or interactive sessions.
Can an exhibition last for one day?
Exhibitions usually last for an extended period but can be short-term.
Can you buy things at an exhibition?
Generally, exhibitions are not commercial, but some may sell catalogues or replicas.
Do fairs always happen outdoors?
No, some fairs like trade fairs can occur indoors.
Can fairs be free to enter?
Many fairs offer free entry but charge for specific attractions or games.
Are exhibitions interactive?
Some modern exhibitions offer interactive elements for engagement.
Can you buy products at a fair?
Yes, fairs often have vendors selling various products.
Are exhibitions and fairs the same?
No, exhibitions are generally more formal and thematic, while fairs are more varied and recreational.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
