noun
fair
a public gathering for entertainment or trade
Families gather at the county fair on a sunny afternoon.
Etymology
The ancestor named a holiday or festival. Because such occasions brought people together for trade and entertainment, the name came to denote the gathering itself.
More examples
- She sold pottery at the craft fair.
- The school held a science fair.
- Several publishers had booths at the book fair.
Forms
fair · fairs
Similar words
- festival
- Emphasizes celebration rather than trade or exhibitions.
- exposition
- Usually a large organized display, often of trade or industry.