fare
B2Formal/Informal (context-dependent)
Definition
Meaning
The price paid to travel on public transport (bus, train, taxi, etc.); also, to perform or get along in a specified way.
Can refer to food provided, especially when it is of a particular kind; also used to describe how someone or something progresses or endures through a situation.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it is a countable noun for a transport price ('I bought a fare'), but uncountable when referring to a category of passengers ('The taxi driver picked up a fare'). The verb is intransitive and often used with adverbs of manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Fare' as a noun for transport cost is used identically. In the context of food, 'fare' (e.g., 'bill of fare') is somewhat archaic in both, but understood.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English in compound terms like 'fare-dodger' (US: 'fare-beater').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SUBJ + fare + ADV (of manner) - How did you fare in the interview?VERB + fare - pay the fareADJ + fare - expensive fareVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “bill of fare (menu)”
- “fare thee well (archaic farewell)”
- “fare-dodger”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Discussion of travel budgets, fare structures, and pricing models in transport industries.
Academic
Analysis of social equity in public transport fares or metaphorical use in literature ('how characters fare').
Everyday
Asking about bus/train costs or discussing how someone performed in a situation.
Technical
In transport planning and economics, referring to fare elasticity, revenue, and collection systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The small business fared surprisingly well during the recession.
- How did your team fare in the cup match?
American English
- The president is faring poorly in the latest polls.
- Our startup fared better than expected in its first year.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'fare' is not an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'fare' is not an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'fare' is not an adjective.
American English
- N/A - 'fare' is not an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bus fare is two pounds.
- How much is the train fare to London?
- Children and students pay a reduced fare.
- I don't think he fared very well in his new job.
- Air fares tend to rise during the holiday season.
- The older model fared badly in the safety tests.
- The government's new policy fared no better in the court of public opinion.
- A sophisticated fare structure is key to the metro system's financial sustainability.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You need AIR to breathe and AIR FARE to fly. Or: How did you FARe? You did FAiRly well.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY; thus, 'to fare' is to travel or progress through life's situations.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'fair' (справедливый, ярмарка).
- The verb 'fare' (справляться) is more formal/literary than its Russian equivalent.
- The noun 'fare' (плата за проезд) is more specific than the general 'плата' (payment).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'How did you fare the exam?' (Correct: 'How did you fare *in* the exam?')
- Confusing spelling: 'fair' vs. 'fare'.
- Using 'fare' as a transitive verb (e.g., *'He fared the storm' is incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a correct usage of 'fare'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its primary meaning is the price for transport, but it also means 'food provided' (archaic/formal) and is a verb meaning 'to perform or get along'.
A 'fare' is specifically a charge for passenger transport. A 'fee' is a payment for a professional service (lawyer's fee), membership, or penalty (bank fee).
No. The verb 'fare' is intransitive and requires a prepositional phrase (e.g., 'fare *in* a test', 'fare *on* a test').
It is less common in everyday spoken English than synonyms like 'do' or 'get on'. It is more frequent in written, formal, or journalistic contexts (e.g., 'How did the stock market fare today?').