unfair

[ uhn-fair ]

adjective

1. not fair; not conforming to approved standards, as of justice, honesty, or ethics:

   an unfair law;

   an unfair wage policy.

2. disproportionate; undue; beyond what is proper or fitting:

   an unfair share.

unfair

/ ʌnˈfɛə /

adjective

1. characterized by inequality or injustice
2. dishonest or unethical

Derived Forms

• unˈfairly, adverb
• unˈfairness, noun

Other Words From

• un·fairly adverb
• un·fairness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unfair¹

First recorded before 900; 1705–15 unfair fordef 1; Middle English: “uncomely, ugly”; Old English unfæger; cognate with Old Norse ūfagr; un- ¹ + fair ¹

Example Sentences

Judges in Illinois agree it is unfair for the court not to have honoured that agreement.

From BBC

Mr Pennycook said: "Given that millions of leaseholders and residential freeholders are currently suffering as a result of unfair and unreasonable practices, we appreciate fully the need to act urgently to provide them with relief."

From BBC

He spent a significant chunk of his time on the campaign trail, griping about perceived unfair coverage from media outlets and threatening the press.

From Salon

One expert has called the response "utterly unfair and yet unsurprising".

From BBC

Tina Leslie, the founder of Freedom 4 Girls - a period poverty charity - said it was unfair to penalise girls for something they could not prevent.

From BBC

Related Words

• arbitrary
• biased
• cruel
• discriminatory
• dishonest
• illegal
• immoral
• improper
• inequitable
• inexcusable
• one-sided
• partisan
• shameful
• unethical
• unjust
• unjustifiable
• unlawful
• unreasonable
• unwarranted
• wrong