carnival and fair share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. carnival means “a festival marked by merrymaking and processions”. fair means “free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules”. fair is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈkɑɹnəvəl/
1.n.a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
2.n.a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
“it was so funny it was a circus”
3.n.a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
/ˈfɛɹ/
| carnival | fair | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɑɹnəvəl/ | /ˈfɛɹ/ |
| Said | KAHR-nuh-vuhl | fer |
| Syllables | 3 | 1 |
| Letters | 8 | 4 |
| Parts of speech | noun | adjective, noun, adverb, verb |
| Senses | 3 | 17 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | none recorded | just |
Full entry for carnival · Full entry for fair · More comparisons
1.adj.free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
“a fair referee”
2.adj.not excessive or extreme
“a fairish income”
3.adj.very pleasing to the eye
“my bonny lass”