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Just, decent, and in accordance with the rules. It describes behavior that does not unfairly disadvantage or favor anyone.
Trotz der Niederlage gratulierte sie ihrer Gegnerin als faire Verliererin.
Despite the defeat, she congratulated her opponent like a fair loser.
The two main meanings of 'fair' can be distinguished well from context. If it is about behavior, rules, or sports, it means 'gerecht' (fair/just). If it is about money, trade, or prices, it means 'angemessen' (reasonable/fair).
Er ist ein harter, aber immer fairer Gegner.
He is a tough but always fair opponent.
When you want to describe that someone behaves fairly toward a person, German often uses the preposition 'zu' followed by the dative.
Der Chef versucht, zu allen Mitarbeitern fair zu sein.
The boss tries to be fair to all employees.
In the context of behavior and rules, 'fair' is often combined with nouns such as 'Spiel' (game), 'Wettbewerb' (competition), 'Kampf' (fight), or 'Verlierer' (loser). The phrase 'sich fair verhalten' (to behave fairly) is also very common.
Das war ein faires Spiel ohne Fouls.
That was a fair game without fouls.
When it is about appropriateness, 'fair' often stands before nouns that describe a value or exchange. Typical examples are 'fairer Preis' (fair price), 'faires Angebot' (fair offer), or 'faire Bezahlung' (fair pay).
Das Unternehmen ist für seine faire Bezahlung bekannt.
The company is known for its fair pay.
The meaning 'light-skinned' is a direct borrowing from English and is very rare in German. It is used almost only in the language of fashion, cosmetics, or literature to express a particular style.
Die Werbung richtete sich an Frauen mit einem fairen Teint.
The advertisement was aimed at women with a fair complexion.
neat / proper
'ordentlich' and 'fair' can both describe someone behaving correctly and decently. 'ordentlich' is more suitable when someone follows rules, acts properly, or behaves appropriately. 'fair' especially emphasizes fairness: no one should be treated unfairly, favored, or disadvantaged. The words can be confused because fair behavior often also seems proper or decent. But when it is about equal treatment, sports, arguments, or prices, 'fair' usually sounds more precise.
Beim Spiel blieb Anna fair, obwohl sie verloren hat.
During the game, Anna remained fair even though she lost.
Der Mitarbeiter hat die Beschwerde ordentlich bearbeitet.
The employee handled the complaint properly.