fairweather
fairweather Lexical Profile
• adjective
Reliable or loyal only during good or easy times, failing to offer support during periods of hardship.
"She eventually realized he was merely a fairweather companion who vanished the moment she faced financial ruin."
Designed for, suited to, or occurring only during pleasant and calm weather conditions.
"They are fairweather sailors who prefer to stay safely in port at the first sign of a storm."
Word Nuance & Usage
Most commonly used in the phrase 'fair-weather friend' to describe someone who abandons a relationship during difficult times. It is frequently hyphenated as 'fair-weather'.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed by combining 'fair' and 'weather', originally referring literally to navigation occurring only in calm conditions. Its metaphorical use for a disloyal friend dates back to the early 18th century.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.