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fair up

C1 informal inseparable intransitive

For weather to improve and become clear, dry, and pleasant after being overcast, rainy, or unsettled.

In plain English

When rainy or cloudy weather gets better and the sun comes out.

What does "fair up" mean?

One main meaning — here's how to use it.

1 C1 informal

(Of weather) To improve and become clear and dry after rain or unsettled conditions.

"The forecast says it should fair up by lunchtime, so we can still go to the beach."

inseparable
Usage tip

Regional and dialectal, used in parts of the UK, Ireland, and North America. Not common in Standard Written English. 'Clear up' is the neutral and universally understood alternative. Learners may encounter this in regional fiction or conversation.

Words that pair with "fair up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

weather sky later afternoon tomorrow

How to conjugate "fair up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
fair up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fairs up
he/she/it
Past simple
faired up
yesterday
Past participle
faired up
have + pp
-ing form
fairing up
continuous

Hear "fair up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "fair up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.