Ask Difference

Fair vs. Average — What's the Difference?

By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 17, 2024
"Fair" typically denotes something that is adequate, satisfactory, or free from bias, whereas "average" refers to a numerical mean or something typical, common, or ordinary.
Fair vs. Average — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Fair and Average

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Key Differences

Fair is often used to describe something that is moderately good or acceptable in quality, or to denote impartiality and justice. For instance, one might say a decision was fair if it was made without favoritism. In contrast, average signifies the central value in a set of numbers or denotes something as typical or standard. When describing performance or quality, calling something average implies it is neither outstanding nor poor, but squarely in the middle.
While fair can be applied in a range of contexts, from ethical judgments to assessments of quality, average is primarily quantitative, relating to numerical calculations, or qualitative, indicating ordinariness. Fairness often involves subjective judgment based on principles of equality or justice, whereas averageness is typically an objective measure, especially when used in statistical contexts.
In assessing conditions or situations, fair might suggest adequacy or a level of acceptability, as in "fair weather," which implies conditions that are generally pleasant. Average, however, conveys a sense of the norm or midpoint, such as "average temperature," which refers to a typical or expected value based on historical data.
The concept of fairness is integral to social interactions, legal systems, and ethical considerations, emphasizing equity and justice. Average, by its nature, is crucial in statistical analysis, research, and everyday language to convey typicality or mediocrity, serving as a benchmark for comparison.
In everyday language, "fair" can also mean relatively good or sufficient, as in "He has a fair chance of winning." Conversely, describing something as average might suggest it lacks distinction or is commonplace, such as in "The food was average; nothing special."
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Adequate, satisfactory, or free from bias.
Numerical mean or typical, common, ordinary.

Context

Quality assessment, ethical judgments, impartiality.
Quantitative analysis, typicality, ordinariness.

Connotation

Moderately good, just, unbiased.
Central value, typical, ordinary.

Usage

"The judgment was fair."
"The average score was 75."

Fields of Relevance

Social interactions, legal systems, ethics.
Statistics, research, everyday comparisons.

Compare with Definitions

Fair

Sufficient or reasonable.
He stands a fair chance of winning the competition.

Average

Numerical mean.
The average grade for the class was B.

Fair

Just and unbiased.
The teacher made a fair decision regarding the dispute.

Average

Typical or ordinary.
The movie's plot was pretty average.

Fair

Moderately good or acceptable.
The concert was fair, but I've seen better.

Average

Middle value in a range.
His income is about average for his profession.

Fair

Free from favoritism.
The selection process was conducted in a fair manner.

Average

Commonplace or standard.
The restaurant serves average Italian cuisine.

Fair

Pleasant, as in weather.
We had fair weather during our vacation.

Average

Neither very good nor very bad.
His performance was average, not particularly memorable.

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.

Average

In colloquial language, an average is a single number taken as representative of a non-empty list of numbers. Different concepts of average are used in different contexts.

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

Average

A number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number
The proportion of over-60s is above the EU average of 19 per cent

Fair

(of hair or complexion) light; blonde
A pretty girl with long fair hair

Average

The apportionment of financial liability resulting from loss of or damage to a ship or its cargo.

Fair

Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount
He did a fair bit of coaching

Average

Constituting the result obtained by adding together several amounts and then dividing this total by the number of amounts
The average temperature in May was 4°C below normal

Fair

(of weather) fine and dry
A fair autumn day

Average

Amount to or achieve as an average rate or amount over a period of time; mean
Annual inflation averaged 2.4 per cent

Fair

Beautiful
The fairest of her daughters

Average

A number that typifies a set of numbers of which it is a function.

Fair

Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage
No one could say he played fair

Average

See arithmetic mean.

Fair

To a high degree
She'll be fair delighted to see you

Average

An intermediate level or degree
Near the average in size.

Fair

A beautiful woman
Pursuing his fair in a solitary street

Average

The usual or ordinary kind or quality
Although the wines vary, the average is quite good.

Fair

A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment
I won a goldfish at the fair

Average

(Sports)The ratio of a team's or player's successful performances such as wins, hits, or goals, divided by total opportunities for successful performance, such as games, times at bat, or shots
Finished the season with a .500 average.
A batting average of .274.

Fair

A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.

Average

The loss of a ship or cargo, caused by damage at sea.

Fair

(of the weather) become fine
Looks like it's fairing off some

Average

The incurrence of damage or loss of a ship or cargo at sea.

Fair

Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings
It is fully faired and race ready

Average

The equitable distribution of such a loss among concerned parties.

Fair

Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.

Average

A charge incurred through such a loss.

Fair

Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.

Average

(Nautical)Small expenses or charges that are usually paid by the master of a ship.

Fair

Of light complexion
Fair skin.

Average

(Mathematics)Of, relating to, or constituting an average.

Fair

Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.

Average

Being intermediate between extremes, as on a scale
A movie of average length.
A player of average ability.

Fair

Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.

Average

Usual or ordinary in kind or character
A poll of average people.
Average eyesight.

Fair

Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.

Average

Assessed in accordance with the law of averages.

Fair

Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.

Average

(Mathematics)To calculate the average of
Average a set of numbers.

Fair

Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.

Average

To do or have an average of
Averaged three hours of work a day.

Fair

Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.

Average

To distribute proportionately
Average one's income over four years so as to minimize the tax rate.

Fair

Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.

Average

To be or amount to an average
Some sparrows are six inches long, but they average smaller. Our expenses averaged out to 45 dollars per day.

Fair

Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.

Average

(mathematics) The arithmetic mean.
2=The average of 10, 20 and 24 is (10 + 20 + 24)/3 = 18.

Fair

Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.

Average

(statistics) Any measure of central tendency, especially any mean, the median, or the mode.

Fair

Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.

Average

Financial loss due to damage to transported goods; compensation for damage or loss.

Fair

(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.

Average

Customs duty or similar charge payable on transported goods.

Fair

In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.

Average

Proportional or equitable distribution of financial expense.

Fair

Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.

Average

(sports) An indication of a player's ability calculated from his scoring record, etc.
Batting average

Fair

To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.

Average

In the corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.

Fair

(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.

Average

The service that a tenant owed his lord, to be done by the animals of the tenant, such as the transportation of wheat, turf, etc.

Fair

(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.

Average

(not comparable) Constituting or relating to the average.
The average age of the participants was 18.5.

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.

Average

Neither very good nor very bad; rated somewhere in the middle of all others in the same category.
I soon found I was only an average chess player.

Fair

An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.

Average

Typical.
The average family will not need the more expensive features of this product.

Fair

An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.

Average

(informal) Not outstanding, not good, banal; bad or poor.

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.

Average

(transitive) To compute the average of, especially the arithmetic mean.
If you average 10, 20 and 24, you get 18.

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.

Average

(transitive) Over a period of time or across members of a population, to have or generate a mean value of.
The daily high temperature last month averaged 15°C.
I averaged 75% in my examinations this year.

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.

Average

(transitive) To divide among a number, according to a given proportion.
To average a loss

Fair

Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.

Average

(intransitive) To be, generally or on average.

Fair

Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.

Average

That service which a tenant owed his lord, to be done by the work beasts of the tenant, as the carriage of wheat, turf, etc.

Fair

Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.

Average

A tariff or duty on goods, etc.

Fair

Favorable to a ship's course.

Average

A mean proportion, medial sum or quantity, made out of unequal sums or quantities; an arithmetical mean. Thus, if A loses 5 dollars, B 9, and C 16, the sum is 30, and the average 10.

Fair

Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day

Average

Any medial estimate or general statement derived from a comparison of diverse specific cases; a medium or usual size, quantity, quality, rate, etc.

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

Average

In the English corn trade, the medial price of the several kinds of grain in the principal corn markets.

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.

Average

Pertaining to an average or mean; medial; containing a mean proportion; of a mean size, quality, ability, etc.; ordinary; usual; as, an average rate of profit; an average amount of rain; the average Englishman; beings of the average stamp.

Fair

(baseball) Between the baselines.

Average

According to the laws of averages; as, the loss must be made good by average contribution.

Fair

Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.

Average

To find the mean of, when sums or quantities are unequal; to reduce to a mean.

Fair

Not a no ball.

Average

To divide among a number, according to a given proportion; as, to average a loss.

Fair

(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.

Average

To do, accomplish, get, etc., on an average.

Fair

Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?

Average

To form, or exist in, a mean or medial sum or quantity; to amount to, or to be, on an average; as, the losses of the owners will average twenty five dollars each; these spars average ten feet in length.

Fair

(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.

Average

A statistic describing the location of a distribution;
It set the norm for American homes

Fair

A fair woman; a sweetheart.

Average

Amount to or come to an average, without loss or gain;
The number of hours I work per work averages out to 40

Fair

(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.

Average

Achieve or reach on average;
He averaged a C

Fair

A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.

Average

Compute the average of

Fair

An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.

Average

Approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value;
The average income in New England is below that of the nation
Of average height for his age
The mean annual rainfall

Fair

An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.

Average

Lacking special distinction, rank, or status; commonly encountered;
Average people
The ordinary (or common) man in the street

Fair

A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).

Average

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

(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).

Average

Around the middle of a scale of evaluation of physical measures;
An orange of average size
Intermediate capacity
A plane with intermediate range
Medium bombers

Fair

(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).

Average

Relating to or constituting the most frequent value in a distribution;
The modal age at which American novelists reach their peak is 30

Fair

To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.

Average

Relating to or constituting the middle value of an ordered set of values (or the average of the middle two in an even-numbered set);
The median value of 17, 20, and 36 is 20
The median income for the year was $15,000

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

(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

Common Curiosities

Is being called "average" a compliment?

Being called "average" is neutral, suggesting ordinariness or typicality, and may not be seen as a compliment or insult.

Can "fair" be used to describe weather?

Yes, "fair weather" implies clear, pleasant conditions without extreme temperatures or precipitation.

What does "fair" imply in an ethical context?

In an ethical context, "fair" implies impartiality, equality, and justice without favoritism or bias.

Can "fair" mean something different in British English?

In British English, "fair" can also mean quite large or considerable, as in "a fair amount," though this usage is not exclusive to British English.

How does "fair" relate to fairness in social systems?

"Fair" relates to the equitable treatment and justice within social systems, ensuring no undue favoritism or bias.

What is a "fair deal"?

A "fair deal" is an agreement considered just, equitable, and satisfactory to all parties involved.

How is "average" calculated in mathematics?

"Average" is calculated by summing a set of values and dividing by the count of those values, representing the central value.

What does it mean if a product is of "average" quality?

A product of "average" quality meets the standard or typical expectations without exceeding or falling short of them.

Is "fair play" the same as fairness?

"Fair play" is a concept related to fairness, emphasizing sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and equity in games and competitions.

Can "fair" refer to complexion?

Yes, "fair" can also describe a light or pale complexion, though this is a different usage from fairness as equity or adequacy.

What does "fair enough" mean?

"Fair enough" is an informal phrase indicating agreement or acknowledgment that a point or argument is reasonable or acceptable.

Does "average" always refer to the mean?

While "average" often refers to the mean, it can also mean median or mode in some contexts, or more generally, something typical.

Is "average" used differently in statistics compared to everyday language?

In statistics, "average" has a precise calculation and meaning, while in everyday language, it's used more broadly to indicate typicality or mediocrity.

How does "average" apply in everyday language?

In everyday language, "average" is used to describe something as typical, ordinary, or expected based on common experience.

Can something be "above average"?

Yes, "above average" implies that something exceeds the typical or standard level or quality.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza 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.

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