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

She joined in 2020, becoming the first Black woman to be cast on the show, and she made her debut during a trip to New York City for cast member Kyle Richards’ fashion show.

From Los Angeles Times

Theatergoers, however, turned out in droves for a show that gave them that old fashioned musical feeling.

From Los Angeles Times

She credits Bensimon, an iconic fashion photographer, with giving her a timeless style tip about the power of a plain T-shirt and sparse makeup.

From Los Angeles Times

“While Trump views his personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as an avenue for negotiation, he will likely lean on Waltz and Rubio in fashioning a more aggressive, uncompromising policy towards China.”

From BBC

The Atlanta rapper has accomplished something comparable to what Tyler, the Creator has done in L.A. over the years — build a self-contained universe around the intersection of uncompromising hip-hop, “Hesher” dirtbag aesthetics and avant-garde fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

More About Fashion

What is a basic definition of fashion?

Fashion is a popular style or trend of something, especially clothing. Fashion is also the general conventions of politeness that society conforms to or an attitude or manner. Fashion can also mean to create something. Fashion has several other senses as a noun and a verb.

Fashion means a popular trend or a style, especially when it comes to clothing.

Real-life examples: Supermodels display the latest fashions of designer clothing on catwalks. Fashion magazines discuss the most popular clothing styles. We often look back with nostalgia (or embarrassment) of popular fashions of clothing, dance, and music of past decades.

Used in a sentence: The pop singer only wore clothes that were of the latest fashions. 

More generally, fashion is used to refer to what society as a whole considers to be acceptable dress, manners, or etiquette. In this sense, something is often said to be “in fashion” or “out of fashion.” In both this and the previous sense, the word fashionable describes something or someone that conforms to popular fashions.

Real-life example: The word groovy was once a popular word to mean something was great or excellent. Today, groovy has largely fallen out of fashion. If you use it, you may be considered out of touch with popular slang.

Used in a sentence: Ripped jeans came back in fashion after the popular singer started wearing them. 

Fashion is a manner or attitude. This sense is often written as “in a … fashion.”

Used in a sentence: The man walked through the mall in a sloth-like fashion. 

Fashion also means to create or build something. This sense often implies that you put something together quickly or had to use whatever parts were available.

Used in a sentence: The stranded sailor fashioned a fishing rod out of a stick and twine.

Where does fashion come from?

The first records of the word fashion come from around 1300. It ultimately comes from the Latin factiōn-, meaning “a making, company, party.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fashion?

• fashionless (adjective)
• fashioner (noun)
• antifashion (noun, adjective)
• misfashion (noun)
• misfashioned (adjective)

What are some synonyms for fashion?

• style
• fad
• trend
• form
• technique
• trend
• way
• build
• create
• adapt

What are some words that share a root or word element with fashion? 

• fashionable
• fashionista
• facile
• fact
• in fashion
• out of fashion

What are some words that often get used in discussing fashion?

 

• designer
• model
• catalogue
• similar

How is fashion used in real life?

Fashion is commonly used to refer to things that are popular or trendy, especially clothing.

60s/70s fashion is slowly coming back and i’m not mad about it 😌

— mia 🥀 (@mutualruinn) November 22, 2020

Do you remember when silk shirts were in fashion? What colour did you have?

— Louise Munsch (@themrsfong) January 6, 2012

My tweets sound really hyper right now, but I'm just sitting here drinking coffee in a zombie-like fashion. The magic of the internet!

— Lydia Marie Clavenna (@mrslydiamarie) February 11, 2014

 

 

Try using fashion!

True or False?

The word fashion refers to something that is unpopular or unacceptable to society.