Fair vs. Neutral — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 15, 2024
Fair refers to treating people equally without bias or discrimination, while neutral denotes a state of impartiality, not favoring any side in a dispute.
Difference Between Fair and Neutral
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Being fair involves making judgments that are just and equitable, considering all aspects fairly. On the other hand, being neutral involves refraining from making judgments or taking sides in any dispute.
In conflict resolution, a fair approach seeks to give everyone what they deserve based on the circumstances, whereas a neutral approach focuses on not contributing or influencing any outcomes.
In terms of biases, fair decisions are actively against biases, attempting to balance unequal powers or correct past injustices. Conversely, neutral positions aim to avoid any involvement or bias, maintaining an equidistant stance from all parties.
When discussing media coverage, fair reporting tries to represent all sides of a story without bias, providing a balanced view. In contrast, neutral reporting might simply present facts without any attempt to contextualize or analyze them.
In the workplace, a fair policy might involve creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, while a neutral policy might strictly avoid any involvement in employee affairs beyond legal compliance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Equitable and just, free from bias
Impartial, not supporting any side
Focus in Conflict
Seeks justice and corrects injustices
Avoids taking sides or making judgments
Bias
Anti-bias, aims to balance power
Avoids all biases, maintains equidistance
Media Example
Balanced representation of all perspectives
Just presents facts, no analysis
Workplace Policy
Creates opportunities for equity
Avoids involvement beyond legal needs
Compare with Definitions
Fair
In accordance with the rules or standards.
He played a fair game without breaking any rules.
Neutral
Not taking sides in conflicts.
Switzerland is known for its neutral stance in international conflicts.
Fair
Giving due regard to the rights and feelings of others.
The debate was conducted in a fair manner.
Neutral
Indifferent, showing no preference.
He remained neutral during the discussion to avoid conflict.
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.
Neutral
Color or tone that does not stand out.
The room was painted in neutral colors to appeal to all buyers.
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
Neutral
Impartiality in decision-making.
The committee's decision was neutral, considering only the facts presented.
Fair
(of hair or complexion) light; blonde
A pretty girl with long fair hair
Neutral
Not aligned with, supporting, or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest.
Fair
Considerable though not outstanding in size or amount
He did a fair bit of coaching
Neutral
Belonging to neither side in a controversy
On neutral ground.
Fair
(of weather) fine and dry
A fair autumn day
Neutral
Belonging to neither kind; not one thing or the other.
Fair
Beautiful
The fairest of her daughters
Neutral
Of or relating to a solution or compound that is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Fair
Without cheating or trying to achieve unjust advantage
No one could say he played fair
Neutral
Of or relating to a compound that does not ionize in solution.
Fair
To a high degree
She'll be fair delighted to see you
Neutral
Of or relating to a particle, an object, or a system that has neither positive nor negative electric charge.
Fair
A beautiful woman
Pursuing his fair in a solitary street
Neutral
Of or relating to a particle, object, or system that has a net electric charge of zero.
Fair
A gathering of stalls and amusements for public entertainment
I won a goldfish at the fair
Neutral
Of or indicating a color, such as gray, black, or white, that lacks hue; achromatic.
Fair
A periodic gathering for the sale of goods.
Neutral
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue in a middle position, neither high nor low, as the a in around.
Fair
(of the weather) become fine
Looks like it's fairing off some
Neutral
A nation nonaligned with either side in a war.
Fair
Streamline (a vehicle, boat, or aircraft) by adding fairings
It is fully faired and race ready
Neutral
A citizen of such a nation.
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
Neutral
One who takes no side in a controversy
"I am by disposition one of life's neutrals, a human Switzerland" (John Gregory Dunne).
Fair
Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.
Neutral
A neutral hue.
Fair
Of light complexion
Fair skin.
Neutral
A position in which a set of gears is disengaged so that power cannot be transmitted.
Fair
Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.
Neutral
A member of a confederacy of Iroquoian-speaking Native American peoples formerly inhabiting the northern shore of Lake Erie. The Neutral were destroyed by the Iroquois in the mid-1600s.
Fair
Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.
Neutral
(politics) Not taking sides in a conflict such as war; nonaligned.
Fair
Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.
Neutral
Favouring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate; unbiased.
I am neutral regarding the issue of gay marriage.
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
Neutral
Neither positive nor negative.
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
Neutral
Neither beneficial nor harmful.
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
Neutral
Having no obvious colour; gray
Fair
Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.
Neutral
(physics) Neither positive nor negative; possessing no charge or equivalent positive and negative charge such that there is no imbalance.
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
Neutral
(chemistry) Having a pH of or near 7, neither acidic nor alkaline.
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
Neutral
A nonaligned state, or a member of such a state.
Fair
Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.
Neutral
A person who takes no side in a dispute.
Fair
(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.
Neutral
An individual or entity serving as an arbitrator or adjudicator.
Fair
In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.
Neutral
A neutral hue.
Fair
Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.
Neutral
The position of a set of gears in which power cannot be transmitted to the drive mechanism.
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
Neutral
An electrical terminal or conductor which has zero or close to zero voltage with respect to the ground.
Fair
(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.
Neutral
Not engaged on either side; not taking part with or assisting either of two or more contending parties; neuter; indifferent.
The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other.
Fair
(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.
Neutral
Neither good nor bad; of medium quality; middling; not decided or pronounced.
Some things good, and some things ill, do seem,And neutral some, in her fantastic eye.
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.
Neutral
Having neither acid nor basic properties; unable to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red; - said of certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with acid, and alkaline.
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
Neutral
A person or a nation that takes no part in a contest between others; one who is neutral.
The neutral, as far as commerce extends, becomes a party in the war.
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
Neutral
One who does not side with any party in a war or dispute
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.
Neutral
Neither moral nor immoral; neither good nor evil, right nor wrong
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.
Neutral
Having no personal preference;
Impersonal criticism
A neutral observer
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.
Neutral
Having only a limited ability to react chemically; not active;
Inert matter
An indifferent chemical in a reaction
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
Neutral
Not supporting or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest
Fair
Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.
Neutral
Having a positive electric charge;
Protons are positive
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
Neutral
Lacking hue;
Neutral colors like back or white
Fair
Favorable to a ship's course.
Neutral
Characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.;
A positive attitude
The reviews were all positive
A positive benefit
A positive demand
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
Neutral
Lacking distinguishing quality or characteristics;
A neutral personality that made no impression whatever
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
Neutral
Unbiased, without any predispositions.
The mediator remained neutral throughout the negotiations.
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) 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
(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
Just and unbiased treatment.
The judge is known for making fair decisions.
Fair
Equitable, without favoritism.
The selection process for the award is fair and transparent.
Fair
Aimed at correcting inequality.
The new policies are designed to ensure a fair distribution of resources.
Common Curiosities
What is a neutral perspective?
It is a viewpoint that does not favor any side or position in a dispute.
How do fairness and neutrality differ in conflict resolution?
Fairness seeks equitable outcomes; neutrality seeks to avoid influencing outcomes.
How can businesses ensure they are being fair?
By implementing policies that promote equality and justice among employees.
Why is fairness important in society?
It promotes equality and justice, which are fundamental for social stability.
What is the difference between fair and equal treatment?
Fair treatment considers individual needs and contexts, while equal treatment applies the same standards to everyone.
How is neutrality maintained in an organization?
By setting clear, impartial guidelines and avoiding involvement in personal matters.
What does it mean to make a fair decision?
It means to decide based on justice, equality, and without discrimination.
Can neutrality be seen as unfair?
Yes, sometimes neutrality can fail to address injustices, which some may view as unfair.
Is it possible to be both fair and neutral?
It can be challenging, as fairness often requires corrective actions, while neutrality implies a hands-off approach.
Can a fair approach involve preferences?
Yes, if those preferences aim to correct historical or systemic imbalances.
How do judges ensure fairness in trials?
By applying the law consistently and impartially, considering all evidence and contexts.
What role does neutrality play in diplomacy?
It helps countries or entities to mediate disputes without becoming part of them.
What does neutral reporting look like?
It involves presenting all facts without personal or corporate bias.
What is a neutral color?
A color that is subdued and does not dominate, such as beige, gray, or cream.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj 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.
