“Fair of face” means beautiful or good-looking , especially in an old- fashioned or literary way. In modern usage, it can also suggest a light complexion , depending on the context.

In context

The phrase is most often seen in the rhyme “Monday’s child is fair of face,” where it simply means the child is pretty or attractive. It is an older expression, so it may sound poetic rather than everyday.

Plain-English meaning

  • Literal sense: having a pleasing or attractive face.
  • Older literary sense: handsome, lovely, or fair in appearance.
  • Sometimes today: light-skinned, though that meaning depends on context.

Example

  • “She was fair of face” = “She had a beautiful face”.

In short: “fair of face” = pretty, attractive, or beautiful-looking.