Fee vs. Fare: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
"Fee" is a charge for a service or privilege, while "Fare" specifically refers to the cost of travel, such as on a bus or train.
Key Differences
"Fee" and "Fare" are terms often used to describe some type of monetary charge, but they apply to different contexts. A "fee" is a general term for the cost associated with a particular service or privilege, such as legal fees or a park entrance fee. On the other hand, "fare" is a specific term that refers to the cost of transportation, like a bus fare or an airplane fare.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
The word "fee" is broad and can be applied to numerous domains. You might pay a "fee" to a lawyer for their legal services or a "fee" to enter a private facility. "Fare" is limited mainly to the realm of transportation. You'd pay a "fare" to ride a bus, subway, or taxi, for instance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
From a grammatical standpoint, both "fee" and "fare" are nouns, although they are used in slightly different contexts. For example, you'd hear "The fee for the application is $50," whereas with fare you'd hear "The taxi fare was quite reasonable."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
In summary, "fee" is a more general term that can cover various kinds of charges for services or privileges, while "fare" is a specialized term dealing almost exclusively with the cost of travel.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Fee and Fare Definitions
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Fee
A fixed sum charged, as by an institution or by law, for a privilege
A license fee.
Tuition fees.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
In feudal law, an estate in land granted by a lord to his vassal on condition of homage and service. Also called feud2, fief.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
(countable) Money paid for a transport ticket.
Train fare
Bus fare
Taxi fare
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
(feudal law) A right to the use of a superior's land, as a stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so held; a fief.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
(legal) An inheritable estate in land held of a feudal lord on condition of the performing of certain services.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
(uncountable) Supplies for consumption or pleasure.
The television channel tended to broadcast unremarkable downmarket fare.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
(legal) An estate of inheritance in land, either absolute and without limitation to any particular class of heirs (fee simple) or limited to a particular class of heirs (fee tail).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
(intransitive) To get along, succeed (well or badly); to be in any state, or pass through any experience, good or bad; to be attended with any circumstances or train of events.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
(obsolete) A prize or reward. Only used in the set phrase "A finder's fee" in Modern English.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
An additional monetary payment charged for a service or good that is minor compared to the underlying cost.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
(intransitive) To move along; proceed; progress; advance
We will continue to monitor how the hurricane fares against projected models.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
To go; to pass; to journey; to travel.
So on he fares, and to the border comesOf Eden.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
Reward or compensation for services rendered or to be rendered; especially, payment for professional services, of optional amount, or fixed by custom or laws; charge; pay; perquisite; as, the fees of lawyers and physicians; the fees of office; clerk's fees; sheriff's fees; marriage fees, etc.
To plead for love deserves more fee than hate.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
To be in any state, or pass through any experience, good or bad; to be attended with any circummstances or train of events, fortunate or unfortunate; as, he fared well, or ill.
So fares the stag among the enraged hounds.
I bid you most heartily well to fare.
So fared the knight between two foes.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
A right to the use of a superior's land, as a stipend for services to be performed; also, the land so held; a fief.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
To be treated or entertained at table, or with bodily or social comforts; to live.
There was a certain rich man which . . . fared sumptuously every day.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
An estate of inheritance supposed to be held either mediately or immediately from the sovereign, and absolutely vested in the owner.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
To happen well, or ill; - used impersonally; as, we shall see how it will fare with him.
So fares it when with truth falsehood contends.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
An estate of inheritance belonging to the owner, and transmissible to his heirs, absolutely and simply, without condition attached to the tenure.
Buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
To reward for services performed, or to be performed; to recompense; to hire or keep in hire; hence, to bribe.
The patient . . . fees the doctor.
There's not a one of them but in his houseI keep a servant feed.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
The price of passage or going; the sum paid or due for conveying a person by land or water; as, the fare for crossing a river; the fare in a coach or by railway.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fee
Give a tip or gratuity to in return for a service, beyond the agreed-on compensation;
Remember to tip the waiter
Fee the steward
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
Condition or state of things; fortune; hap; cheer.
What fare? what news abroad ?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
Food; provisions for the table; entertainment; as, coarse fare; delicious fare.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
The person or persons conveyed in a vehicle; as, a full fare of passengers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
Fare
Proceed or get along;
How is she doing in her new job?
How are you making out in graduate school?
He's come a long way
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 09, 2023
FAQs
Can "fee" and "fare" be used interchangeably?
No, "fee" is general, while "fare" is specific to the cost of travel.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fare" limited to public transportation?
No, it can apply to private transportation like taxis and ferries too.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fare" ever free?
Rarely, but some public services might offer free fare in special cases.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can "fare" refer to food?
Yes, in old usage, "fare" can mean "food available."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
What's a "finder's fee"?
It's a fee paid for facilitating a business arrangement or deal.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fare" related to "fair"?
No, despite the similar spelling, they are not synonymous.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fee" only applicable to professional services?
No, "fee" can apply to a wide range of services and privileges.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is "farewell" related to "fare"?
They share etymological roots but have different meanings.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fare" always a fixed price?
No, it can vary based on distance, time, and type of service.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Can "fee" include taxes?
Sometimes, but it's best to clarify with the service provider.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 22, 2023
Is "fare" applicable to cruises?
Yes, it's the cost of passage on the cruise ship.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
What is a "service fee"?
It's a charge added for the provision of services, often seen in restaurants or hotels.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
