Fair vs. Circus — What's the Difference?

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.

A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, unicyclists, as well as other object manipulation and stunt-oriented artists. The term circus also describes the performance which has followed various formats through its 250-year modern history.

Treating people equally without favouritism or discrimination

A travelling company of acrobats, clowns, and other entertainers which gives performances, typically in a large tent, in a series of different places

(of hair or complexion) light; blonde

(in ancient Rome) a rounded or oval arena lined with tiers of seats, used for equestrian and other sports and games

Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount

A rounded open space in a town or city where several streets converge

(of weather) fine and dry

A public entertainment consisting typically of a variety of performances by acrobats, clowns, and often trained animals.

Beautiful

A traveling company that performs such entertainments.

Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage

A circular arena, surrounded by tiers of seats and often covered by a tent, in which such shows are performed.

To a high degree

A roofless oval enclosure surrounded by tiers of seats that was used in antiquity for public spectacles.

A beautiful woman

Chiefly British An open circular place where several streets intersect.

A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment

(Informal) Something suggestive of a circus, as in frenetic activity or noisy disorder

A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.

A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.

(of the weather) become fine

A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.

Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings

(figurative) A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.

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

(historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.

Light in color, especially blond

A code name for bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time. The attacks were against short-range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.

Of light complexion

(obsolete) Circuit; space; enclosure.

Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny

To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus

Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure

A level oblong space surrounded on three sides by seats of wood, earth, or stone, rising in tiers one above another, and divided lengthwise through the middle by a barrier around which the track or course was laid out. It was used for chariot races, games, and public shows.

Promising; likely

A circular inclosure for the exhibition of feats of horsemanship, acrobatic displays, etc. Also, the company of performers, with their equipage.

Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial

Circuit; space; inclosure.

Just to all parties; equitable

A travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals;

Being in accordance with relative merit or significance

Performance given by a traveling company of acrobats clowns and trained animals;

Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics

A frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a circus or carnival;

Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory

(antiquity) an open-air stadium for chariot races and gladiatorial games

Superficially true or appealing; specious

An arena consisting of an oval or circular area enclosed by tiers of seats and usually covered by a tent;

Lawful to hunt or attack

A genus of haws comprising the harriers

(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.

In a proper or legal manner

Directly; straight

To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular

(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.

(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.

A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market

An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments

An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity

An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar

Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.

Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.

Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.

Just, equitable.

Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.

Favorable to a ship's course.

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

Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.

(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.

(baseball) Between the baselines.

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

Not a no ball.

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

Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).

(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.

(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.

A fair woman; a sweetheart.

(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.

A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.

An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.

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

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

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

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

To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.

(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.

To make fair or beautiful.

Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably

Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.

Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.

Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.

Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.

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.

Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

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.

Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.

Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.

Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.

Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.

Fairness, beauty.

A fair woman; a sweetheart.

Good fortune; good luck.

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.

A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.

A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural 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.

To make fair or beautiful.

To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.

A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.

Gathering of producers to promote business;

A competitive exhibition of farm products;

A sale of miscellany; often for charity;

Join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly

Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;

Showing lack of favoritism;

More than adequate in quality;

Not excessive or extreme;

Visually appealing;

Very pleasing to the eye;

(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;

Of no exceptional quality or ability;

Attractively feminine;

(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;

Free of clouds or rain;

(used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;

In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;

In a fair evenhanded manner;