Fair vs. Neutral: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Fair" implies just, equitable treatment without favoritism, while "neutral" means impartial, without taking sides or having a preference.
Key Differences
"Fair" is often associated with justice, equity, and equal treatment. "Neutral," on the other hand, denotes a position of impartiality and absence of bias.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Fairness is typically applied in contexts where moral judgment or equity is involved, like in law or personal interactions. Neutrality is more about a stance or attitude of non-involvement, often used in diplomacy or conflicts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Being fair involves actively ensuring equal treatment and opportunities. Being neutral implies a passive stance of not favoring any side.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Fairness is often seen as a positive trait, suggesting integrity and justice. Neutrality can be positive in conflict resolution but may be perceived negatively if it implies indifference in situations demanding moral judgment.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Comparison Chart
ADVERTISEMENT
Context of Use
In justice, ethics, and personal interactions
In diplomacy, conflicts, and decision making
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Perception
Often viewed positively as integrity
Can be positive or negative based on context
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Fair and Neutral Definitions
ADVERTISEMENT
Neutral
Not supporting any side in a conflict.
The mediator remained neutral during the negotiations.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Fair
A gathering or event for entertainment.
We went to the state fair last weekend.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Neutral
Without distinctive characteristics.
The room was decorated in neutral colors.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Fair
Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Not aligned with, supporting, or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Of or relating to a solution or compound that is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Of or relating to a particle, an object, or a system that has neither positive nor negative electric charge.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Of or relating to a particle, object, or system that has a net electric charge of zero.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Of or indicating a color, such as gray, black, or white, that lacks hue; achromatic.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the tongue in a middle position, neither high nor low, as the a in around.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
One who takes no side in a controversy
"I am by disposition one of life's neutrals, a human Switzerland" (John Gregory Dunne).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
A position in which a set of gears is disengaged so that power cannot be transmitted.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Favouring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate; unbiased.
I am neutral regarding the issue of gay marriage.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
(physics) Neither positive nor negative; possessing no charge or equivalent positive and negative charge such that there is no imbalance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
The position of a set of gears in which power cannot be transmitted to the drive mechanism.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
An electrical terminal or conductor which has zero or close to zero voltage with respect to the ground.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Having no personal preference;
Impersonal criticism
A neutral observer
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Having only a limited ability to react chemically; not active;
Inert matter
An indifferent chemical in a reaction
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Not supporting or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Neutral
Lacking distinguishing quality or characteristics;
A neutral personality that made no impression whatever
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Fair
In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "neutral" mean indifference?
Yes, but it usually implies impartiality without bias.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is fairness subjective?
Fairness can be subjective, depending on personal or cultural beliefs.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can "fair" apply to weather descriptions?
Yes, "fair" can describe moderate or pleasant weather.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Does "fair" relate to physical appearance?
Yes, it can describe light complexion or hair color.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Does neutrality require disengagement?
Neutrality often involves non-engagement or non-preference.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can "fair" imply average quality?
Yes, as in "fair" can mean moderately good or average.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Does "neutral" mean having no opinion?
It can mean having no opinion or not expressing one.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is "fair" always about justice?
Yes, it often relates to justice and equity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can "neutral" refer to a state of inactivity?
Yes, like a car being in neutral gear.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Are fairness and justice synonymous?
They are closely related, but justice is a broader concept.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is "neutral" always a positive trait?
Neutrality can be positive or negative, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Does "neutral" imply a lack of color?
In design, it can refer to colors without strong hues.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is a fair process always equitable?
A fair process aims to be equitable, but perceptions of equity can vary.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is it possible to be neutral in all situations?
It's challenging to be neutral in every situation, especially those involving moral judgments.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can neutrality be a diplomatic strategy?
Yes, neutrality is often a strategy in diplomacy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can fairness be achieved in subjective situations?
Achieving fairness can be challenging in subjective situations but is often the goal.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can someone remain neutral in moral dilemmas?
Remaining neutral in moral dilemmas can be difficult and is often debated.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is "neutral" used in technical contexts?
Yes, like in describing neutral colors or neutral pH.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is it fair to treat everyone the same?
Fairness often involves considering individual needs and circumstances.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Does "fair" have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, its meaning can vary from justice to weather descriptions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
Shumaila Saeed
Dua Fatima
Hifza Nasir
