fashion

[ fash-uhn ]

noun

1. a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.:

   the latest fashion in dresses.

   Synonyms: craze, rage, fad, mode

2. conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., especially of polite society, or conformity to it:

   the dictates of fashion; to be out of fashion.

3. manner; way; mode:

   in a warlike fashion.

4. the make or form of anything:

   He liked the fashion of the simple, sturdy furniture.

   Synonyms: figure, pattern, cut, shape

5. a kind; sort:

   All fashions of people make up the world.

6. Obsolete. workmanship.
7. Obsolete. act or process of making.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a particular shape or form to; make:

   The cavemen fashioned tools from stones.

   Synonyms: construct, frame, mold

2. to accommodate; adjust; adapt:

   doctrines fashioned to the varying hour.

   Synonyms: fit, suit

3. Shipbuilding. to bend (a plate) without preheating.
4. Obsolete. to contrive; manage.

fashion

/ ˈfæʃən /

noun

1. 1. style in clothes, cosmetics, behaviour, etc, esp the latest or most admired style
   2. ( as modifier )

      a fashion magazine

2. modifier (esp of accessories) designed to be in the current fashion, but not necessarily to last
3. 1. manner of performance; mode; way

      in a striking fashion

   2. ( in combination )

      crab-fashion

4. a way of life that revolves around the activities, dress, interests, etc, that are most fashionable
5. shape, appearance, or form
6. sort; kind; type
7. after a fashion or in a fashion
   1. in some manner, but not very well

      I mended it, after a fashion

   2. of a low order; of a sort

      he is a poet, after a fashion

8. after the fashion of
   like; similar to
9. of fashion
   of high social standing

verb

1. to give a particular form to
2. to make suitable or fitting
3. obsolete.
   to contrive; manage

Derived Forms

• ˈfashioner, noun

Other Words From

• fashion·less adjective
• anti·fashion noun adjective
• mis·fashion noun
• mis·fashioned adjective
• pre·fashion verb (used with object) noun
• pre·fashioned adjective
• re·fashion verb (used with object)
• trans·fashion noun
• un·fashioned adjective
• well-fashioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fashion¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English facioun, fasoun “shape, manner,” from Anglo-French faço(u)n, façun, Old French faceon, from Latin factiōn- (stem of factiō ) “a making, company, party.” See faction ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fashion¹

C13 facioun form, manner, from Old French faceon , from Latin factiō a making, from facere to make

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. after / in a fashion, in some manner or other or to some extent; in a makeshift, unskillful, or unsatisfactory way:

   He's an artist after a fashion.

More idioms and phrases containing fashion

see after a fashion ; in fashion .

Synonym Study

Fashion, style, vogue imply popularity or widespread acceptance of manners, customs, dress, etc. Fashion is that which characterizes or distinguishes the habits, manners, dress, etc., of a period or group: the fashions of the 18th century. Style is sometimes the equivalent of fashion, but also denotes conformance to a prevalent standard: to be in style; a chair in the Queen Anne style. Vogue suggests the temporary popularity of certain fashions: this year's vogue in popular music.

Example Sentences

“We need to be thinking in a more distributed fashion than the centralized systems that are currently being imagined and proposed,” Winter said.

From Los Angeles Times

At The Noortwyck, I’ve taken these refined techniques I’ve learned with high quality ingredients and presented them in a much more approachable, cost-effective fashion, creating an inviting atmosphere that feels accessible for an everyday neighborhood restaurant.

From Salon

Ireland's autumn campaign began in dispiriting fashion with a sub-par performance allowing New Zealand to win 23-13 in Dublin.

From BBC

The company, which operates the Raw Story and AlterNet news sites, didn’t fashion its claim as a copyright infringement complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

She also collaborated with the costume team on Bianca’s casual approach to fashion, which included sneakers, T-shirts and bomber jackets.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fad
• form
• look
• mode
• model
• pattern
• shape
• thing
• tone
• trend