fairly

UK: /ˈfɛə^rli/ US: /ˈfɛrli/ ,(fâr′lē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fair•ly /ˈfɛrli/   adv. 

1. in a fair manner;
   justly;
   impartially:
   We want you to judge fairly.
2. moderately;
   tolerably;
   to a large extent:
   a fairly heavy rain.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fair•ly  (fâr′lē), adv. 

1. in a fair manner;
   justly or honestly;
   impartially.
2. moderately;
   tolerably:
   a fairly heavy rain.
3. properly;
   legitimately:
   a claim fairly made.
4. clearly;
   distinctly:
   fairly seen.
5. Dialect Terms [Chiefly Southern U.S.]
   • Dialect Terms actually;
     completely:
     The wheels fairly spun.
   • Dialect Terms almost;
     practically:
     He slipped off the roof and fairly broke his neck.
6. [Obs.] softly.
7. [Obs.] courteously.

• 1350–1400; Middle English; see fair¹, -ly

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fairly / ˈfɛəlɪ/ adverb

1. (not used with a negative) moderately
2. as deserved; justly
3. (not used with a negative) positively; absolutely: the hall fairly rang with applause