Difference Wiki

Exhibition vs. Fair: What's the Difference?

Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
An exhibition is a display or presentation of works or items, while a fair is a gathering for entertainment, trade, or competition.

Key Differences

An exhibition is primarily a showcase. It is designed to display or introduce a collection of items, such as artwork, artifacts, or even technological innovations, to an audience. This format often prioritizes aesthetics and educational content. A fair, on the other hand, can be multi-faceted, embracing trade, entertainment, and sometimes competition. It often brings together vendors, performers, and diverse activities in a communal setting.
One can visit an art exhibition to appreciate paintings, sculptures, and other artistic endeavors. Such events are often hosted in galleries or museums. A fair, conversely, might be an open-air event, perhaps in a park or dedicated ground, featuring stalls, rides, and shows. Here, people engage in buying, selling, and partaking in various entertainments.
Exhibitions often have a thematic coherence. For instance, an exhibition might center around a particular artist, historical period, or a specific theme. They seek to educate or provoke thought. Fairs, however, offer a broader range of experiences. From agricultural displays to amusement rides, from food stalls to craft vendors, a fair provides a more holistic experience.
While the term 'exhibition' predominantly connotes a serious, often curated display, 'fair' implies festivity and diverse attractions. However, there are overlaps. Trade exhibitions or expos can resemble fairs in their bustling energy and variety of stalls. Similarly, some fairs, like book fairs, might focus intensely on a single theme, akin to exhibitions.

Comparison Chart

Primary Purpose

Display or presentation of items.
Gathering for entertainment, trade, or competition.
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Setting

Often indoors, like galleries or convention centers.
Typically open-air, in parks or fairgrounds.

Focus

Thematic and curated.
Diverse attractions and activities.

Duration

Can be short-term or long-term.
Generally short-term, seasonal events.

Common Themes

Art, history, technology, etc.
Agriculture, entertainment, trade, etc.

Exhibition and Fair Definitions

Exhibition

A public display of art or items.
The museum held an exhibition of ancient relics.
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Fair

A gathering for the sale of goods.
The craft fair attracted local artisans.

Exhibition

A public show of a specific skill or activity.
She gave an exhibition of her gymnastic talents.

Fair

A periodic gathering for trade.
Merchants from afar came to the annual trade fair.

Exhibition

A deliberate display or showcase.
The event was more of an exhibition than a competition.

Fair

An exhibition for competition and display in various fields.
She won a blue ribbon at the science fair.

Exhibition

A thematic collection presented to an audience.
The photography exhibition drew large crowds.

Fair

A fun-filled event with rides and games.
Kids eagerly await the carnival fair every summer.

Exhibition

The act or an instance of exhibiting.

Fair

Of pleasing appearance, especially because of a pure or fresh quality; comely.

Exhibition

Something exhibited; an exhibit.

Fair

Light in color, especially blond
Fair hair.

Exhibition

A large-scale public showing, as of art objects or industrial or agricultural products.

Fair

Of light complexion
Fair skin.

Exhibition

Chiefly British A grant given to a scholar by a school or university.

Fair

Free of clouds or storms; clear and sunny
Fair skies.

Exhibition

An instance of exhibiting, or something exhibited.

Fair

Free of blemishes or stains; clean and pure
One's fair name.

Exhibition

A large-scale public showing of objects or products.
There was an art exhibition on in the town hall.
A boat exhibition

Fair

Promising; likely
We're in a fair way to succeed.

Exhibition

A public display, intentional or otherwise, generally characterised as negative, a shameful exhibition or a disgusting exhibition

Fair

Having or exhibiting a disposition that is free of favoritism or bias; impartial
A fair mediator.

Exhibition

A demonstration of personal skill or feelings.

Fair

Just to all parties; equitable
A compromise that is fair to both factions.

Exhibition

(UK) A financial award or prize given to a student (who becomes an exhibitioner) by a school or university, usually on the basis of academic merit.

Fair

Being in accordance with relative merit or significance
She wanted to receive her fair share of the proceeds.

Exhibition

(sports) A game which does not impact the standings for any major cup or competition.

Fair

Consistent with rules, logic, or ethics
A fair tactic.

Exhibition

The act of exhibiting for inspection, or of holding forth to view; manifestation; display.

Fair

Moderately good; acceptable or satisfactory
Gave only a fair performance of the play.
In fair health.

Exhibition

That which is exhibited, held forth, or displayed; also, any public show; a display of works of art, or of feats of skill, or of oratorical or dramatic ability; as, an exhibition of animals; an exhibition of pictures, statues, etc.; an industrial exhibition.

Fair

Superficially true or appealing; specious
Don't trust his fair promises.

Exhibition

Sustenance; maintenance; allowance, esp. for meat and drink; pension.
What maintenance he from his friends receives,Like exhibition thou shalt have from me.
I have given more exhibitions to scholars, in my days, than to the priests.

Fair

Lawful to hunt or attack
Fair game.

Exhibition

The act of administering a remedy.

Fair

(Archaic) Free of all obstacles.

Exhibition

The act of exhibiting;
A remarkable exhibition of musicianship

Fair

In a proper or legal manner
Playing fair.

Exhibition

A collection of things (goods or works of art etc.) for public display

Fair

Directly; straight
A blow caught fair in the stomach.

Exhibition

An organized presentation of a selection of items.
The tech exhibition showcased the latest innovations.

Fair

To join (pieces) so as to be smooth, even, or regular
Faired the aircraft's wing into the fuselage.

Fair

(Archaic) A beautiful or beloved woman.

Fair

(Obsolete) Loveliness; beauty.

Fair

A gathering for the buying and selling of goods, often held at a particular time and place; a market
We attended the annual book fair.

Fair

An exhibition of home or farm products and skills, usually with competitions and entertainments
My pumpkin won first prize at the county fair.

Fair

An exhibition intended to inform people about a product or business opportunity
A computer fair.
A job fair.

Fair

An event, usually for the benefit of a charity or public institution, including entertainment and the sale of goods; a bazaar
A church fair.

Fair

Beautiful, of a pleasing appearance, with a pure and fresh quality.
Monday's child is fair of face.
There was once a knight who wooed a fair young maid.

Fair

Unblemished (figuratively or literally); clean and pure; innocent.
One's fair name
After scratching out and replacing various words in the manuscript, he scribed a fair copy to send to the publisher.

Fair

Light in color, pale, particularly with regard to skin tone but also referring to blond hair.
She had fair hair and blue eyes.

Fair

Just, equitable.
He must be given a fair trial.

Fair

Adequate, reasonable, or decent, but not excellent.
Their performance has been only fair.
The patient was in a fair condition after some treatment.

Fair

Favorable to a ship's course.

Fair

Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.
A fair sky;
A fair day

Fair

Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unencumbered; open; direct; said of a road, passage, etc.
A fair mark;
In fair sight;
A fair view

Fair

(shipbuilding) Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

Fair

(baseball) Between the baselines.

Fair

Taken direct from an opponent's foot, without the ball touching the ground or another player.

Fair

Not a no ball.

Fair

(statistics) Of a coin or die, having equal chance of landing on any side, unbiased.

Fair

Something which is fair (in various senses of the adjective).
When will we learn to distinguish between the fair and the foul?

Fair

(obsolete) A woman, a member of the ‘fair sex’; also as a collective singular, women.

Fair

(obsolete) Fairness, beauty.

Fair

A fair woman; a sweetheart.

Fair

(obsolete) Good fortune; good luck.

Fair

A community gathering to celebrate and exhibit local achievements.

Fair

An event for public entertainment and trade, a market.

Fair

An event for professionals in a trade to learn of new products and do business, a trade fair.

Fair

A travelling amusement park (called a funfair in British English and a (travelling) carnival in US English).

Fair

(transitive) To smoothen or even a surface (especially a connection or junction on a surface).

Fair

(transitive) To bring into perfect alignment (especially about rivet holes when connecting structural members).

Fair

To make an animation smooth, removing any jerkiness.

Fair

(transitive) To construct or design with the aim of producing a smooth outline or reducing air drag or water resistance.

Fair

To make fair or beautiful.

Fair

Clearly, openly, frankly, civilly, honestly, favorably, auspiciously, agreeably

Fair

Free from spots, specks, dirt, or imperfection; unblemished; clean; pure.
A fair white linen cloth.

Fair

Pleasing to the eye; handsome; beautiful.
Who can not see many a fair French city, for one fair French made.

Fair

Without a dark hue; light; clear; as, a fair skin.
The northern people large and fair-complexioned.

Fair

Not overcast; cloudless; clear; pleasant; propitious; favorable; - said of the sky, weather, or wind, etc.; as, a fair sky; a fair day.
You wish fair winds may waft him over.

Fair

Free from obstacles or hindrances; unobstructed; unincumbered; open; direct; - said of a road, passage, etc.; as, a fair mark; in fair sight; a fair view.
The caliphs obtained a mighty empire, which was in a fair way to have enlarged.

Fair

Without sudden change of direction or curvature; smooth; flowing; - said of the figure of a vessel, and of surfaces, water lines, and other lines.

Fair

Characterized by frankness, honesty, impartiality, or candor; open; upright; free from suspicion or bias; equitable; just; - said of persons, character, or conduct; as, a fair man; fair dealing; a fair statement.

Fair

Pleasing; favorable; inspiring hope and confidence; - said of words, promises, etc.
When fair words and good counsel will not prevail on us, we must be frighted into our duty.

Fair

Distinct; legible; as, fair handwriting.

Fair

Free from any marked characteristic; average; middling; as, a fair specimen.
The news is very fair and good, my lord.

Fair

Clearly; openly; frankly; civilly; honestly; favorably; auspiciously; agreeably.

Fair

Fairness, beauty.

Fair

A fair woman; a sweetheart.
I have found out a gift for my fair.

Fair

Good fortune; good luck.
Now fair befall thee !

Fair

A gathering of buyers and sellers, assembled at a particular place with their merchandise at a stated or regular season, or by special appointment, for trade.

Fair

A festival, and sale of fancy articles. erc., usually for some charitable object; as, a Grand Army fair; a church fair.

Fair

A competitive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair.

Fair

An exhibition by a number of organizations, including governmental organizations, for the purpose of acquainting people with such organizations or their members, not primarily for commercial purposes; as, the 1939 World's Fair.
Meet me in St. Louis, LouisMeet me at the fairDon't tell me the lights are shiningAnyplace but there.

Fair

To make fair or beautiful.
Fairing the foul.

Fair

To make smooth and flowing, as a vessel's lines.

Fair

A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.

Fair

Gathering of producers to promote business;
World fair
Trade fair
Book fair

Fair

A competitive exhibition of farm products;
She won a blue ribbon for her baking at the county fair

Fair

A sale of miscellany; often for charity;
The church bazaar

Fair

Join so that the external surfaces blend smoothly

Fair

Free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; or conforming with established standards or rules;
A fair referee
Fair deal
On a fair footing
A fair fight
By fair means or foul

Fair

Showing lack of favoritism;
The cold neutrality of an impartial judge

Fair

More than adequate in quality;
Fair work

Fair

Not excessive or extreme;
A fairish income
Reasonable prices

Fair

Visually appealing;
Our fair city

Fair

Very pleasing to the eye;
My bonny lass
There's a bonny bay beyond
A comely face
Young fair maidens

Fair

(of a baseball) hit between the foul lines;
He hit a fair ball over the third base bag

Fair

Of no exceptional quality or ability;
A novel of average merit
Only a fair performance of the sonata
In fair health
The caliber of the students has gone from mediocre to above average
The performance was middling at best

Fair

Attractively feminine;
The fair sex

Fair

(of a manuscript) having few alterations or corrections;
Fair copy
A clean manuscript

Fair

Free of clouds or rain;
Today will be fair and warm

Fair

(used of hair or skin) pale or light-colored;
A fair complexion

Fair

In conformity with the rules or laws and without fraud or cheating;
They played fairly

Fair

In a fair evenhanded manner;
Deal fairly with one another

Fair

An event with stalls, entertainment, and activities.
The county fair is this weekend.

FAQs

Can an exhibition be interactive?

Yes, especially in cases like science or tech exhibitions.

Are all exhibitions open to the public?

Most are, but some might be private or require tickets.

What's a typical feature of a fair?

Stalls, rides, games, and entertainment.

What's a notable type of fair?

The Renaissance fair, celebrating medieval culture.

Can an exhibition be digital?

Yes, online or virtual exhibitions have become popular.

What's the main purpose of an exhibition?

To display or present a collection of items or works.

How long can an exhibition last?

It varies, from a day to several months.

Is a carnival similar to a fair?

Yes, a carnival is a type of fair with rides and entertainment.

Are fairs usually free?

Some are, but many charge an entry fee or fees for certain attractions.

Can a fair be indoors?

While often outdoors, fairs can be held indoors, especially trade fairs.

How are exhibitions usually advertised?

Through media, flyers, and online platforms.
About Author
Written by
Janet White
Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon Moss
Harlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.

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