Talk:fairly

not used with a negative ?

1. (not used with a negative)  moderately 
2. as deserved; justly 
3. (not used with a negative) positively; absolutely: the hall fairly rang with applause. 
https://www.wordreference.com/definition/fairly

What's it referring to exactly? --Backinstadiums (talk) 16:46, 18 February 2021 (UTC)

We don’t use pretty in negative sentences: The restaurant wasn’t very/so/*pretty good, really. --Backinstadiums (talk) 11:00, 25 August 2021 (UTC)

"Fairly" can't be used with comparatives or negatives, the train is rather/somewhat/*fairly quicker than the bus. --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:52, 13 October 2021 (UTC)

in speech this possible confusion is prevented by the marked difference in intonation.

In certain contexts it is sometimes difficult to know whether ‘moderately’ or ‘utterly’ is intended; but in speech this possible confusion is prevented by the marked difference in intonation. --Backinstadiums (talk) 16:06, 6 April 2021 (UTC)

[Chiefly Southern U.S.] actually; completely

[Chiefly Southern U.S.] actually; completely: The wheels fairly spun. --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:34, 25 August 2021 (UTC)

Moderately vs. to a reasonable degree

4. a) Moderately; rather: a fairly good dinner. b) To a reasonable degree: I was fairly sure that I would go to the party. --Backinstadiums (talk) 10:43, 25 August 2021 (UTC)