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noun

fare

FEH-uh
noun
1
The money a passenger pays for a bus, train, taxi, or plane ticket.
"The bus fare went up by twenty pence this month."
"She didn't have enough cash for the taxi fare."
2
A paying passenger, especially in a taxi.
"The cabbie picked up his last fare of the night near the station."
3
Food and drink, especially the kind served somewhere in particular.
"The pub is known for simple, hearty fare like pies and stews."
verb
1
To get on, progress, or turn out in a specified way (usually "fare well" or "fare badly").
"How did you fare in the exam?"
"The new restaurant has fared well despite the competition nearby."

How to Use Fare

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAs a noun, the price of a ride, or the food on offer; as a verb, to get on or do in a certain way.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "fair" (just, or a funfair) — they sound identical but are unrelated words.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
bus fare taxi fare fare well simple fare

Word Forms

fared past tense, fares plural, fares singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The bus _____ went up by twenty pence this month.

Etymology

From Old English fær and faru, both meaning "journey" — the same root that gives us "farewell" (literally "travel well").

Rhymes for fare

See all rhymes for fare →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial