fair complexion

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   Skin that is light in color and often burns easily in the sun.

   Grammar: Usually used with an or with a possessive: She has a fair complexion.

   Patterns

   • have a fair complexion
   • someone with a fair complexion

   People with a fair complexion should wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.

   Her fair complexion made the red scarf look even brighter.

   He inherited his mother's fair complexion and light hair.

Word forms

Common combinations

have a fair complexion

My sister has a fair complexion and freckles.

a naturally fair complexion

She has a naturally fair complexion that rarely tans.

fair complexion and light hair

The witness described a young man with a fair complexion and light hair.

protect a fair complexion

A wide hat helps protect a fair complexion.

a fair complexion burns easily

With a fair complexion, he burns easily in summer.

Synonyms and how they differ

pale

Pale can suggest illness or tiredness, while fair complexion simply describes naturally light coloring.

light-skinned

Light-skinned is a plain adjective for a person, whereas fair complexion is a noun phrase that focuses on skin and face.

porcelain skin

Porcelain skin is poetic and also implies smoothness and delicacy, which fair complexion does not.

Opposites

Word family

complexion noun

the natural color and look of the skin on the face

fair adjective

light in color, as of skin or hair

fairness noun

the quality of being light in coloring

Commonly confused: fair complexion or complexity?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “fair complexion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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