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Definition of fairweather

fairweather

/ˈfɛərˌwɛð.ər/
fair · weath · er
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fairweather Lexical Profile

• adjective

1

Reliable or loyal only during good or easy times, failing to offer support during periods of hardship.

Example

"She eventually realized he was merely a fairweather companion who vanished the moment she faced financial ruin."

2

Designed for, suited to, or occurring only during pleasant and calm weather conditions.

Example

"They are fairweather sailors who prefer to stay safely in port at the first sign of a storm."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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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

fairly
fairness
fairway
fairweather
fairy
fairy duster
fairy falls

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.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fairweather. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fairweather
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