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fairly

fairly

895 1.0
To some degree but not very much
  • adverb
  • /ˈfɛrli/
translation icon : bastante
  • And like I said, it's a fairly simple construction.
  • fairly well
  • fairly easy
  • fairly simple

So it needs to be fairly in depth, right?

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Examples

Synonyms

kind of
vsfairly
  • Informal
1.6

To a small or medium degree

gives a clearer, more definite sense of moderate degree
pretty
vsfairly
  • Informal
1.0

Fairly or to some degree when describing another word

is more neutral and suits both formal and informal contexts
sort of
vsfairly
  • Informal
2.1

To some degree but not completely

provides a clearer moderate degree rather than vague approximation
rather
vsfairly
1.0

A little more than a bit but not very much

expresses a milder, more moderate degree instead of stronger emphasis
somewhat
vsfairly
816 2.0

To a small degree

marks a clearer, steadier moderate degree rather than slightness
partly
vsfairly
375 1.0

To some extent but not completely

describes overall moderate degree rather than partial or fragmented truth
partially
vsfairly
198 2.4

To some degree but not completely

refers to degree of extent rather than to parts or completeness
reasonably
vsfairly
129 2.2

To a fair degree but not very much

focuses on moderate degree without the added judgement of acceptability
mildly
vsfairly
92 2.7

To a small, gentle degree

signals a fuller moderate degree rather than just a slight amount
moderately
vsfairly
47 2.8

To some degree but not very much

is the everyday expression with the same moderate meaning
tolerably
vsfairly
3 4.9

Good enough but not very good

focuses on moderate amount rather than acceptability or quality
passably
vsfairly
1 4.6

Good enough to do the job but not very good

talks about degree or amount rather than quality or performance

Antonyms

1.0

Totally, in every way

1.0

To a very great degree

How Much

extremely
1.0
considerably
144 3.4
fairly
895 1.0
somewhat
816 2.0
slightly
885 1.0
hardly
1.0

Surface Forms

fairly positive
fairer comparative
fairest superlative

Morphology

fairly = fair (semi-transparent) = fair + ly

Formed from 'fair' + '-ly' but the adverbial meaning 'to some extent, moderately' reflects a degree-extension of the adjective rather than a literal 'in a fair/impartial way', so learners may not infer this meaning from 'fair' alone.

Etymology

Fairly also comes from fair plus -ly, and because fair came to mean 'good' or 'quite', fairly can mean 'to some extent' or 'moderately', so saying something is fairly good means it is better than bad but not perfect.