fad

1 of 2

noun (1)

: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze
faddish adjective
faddishly adverb
faddishness noun
faddism noun
faddist noun
faddy adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for fad

fashion, style, mode, vogue, fad, rage, craze mean the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date.

fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

Examples of fad in a Sentence

Noun (1) She's always interested in the latest fads. once the fad for that kind of music had passed, nobody would have been caught dead listening to it
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Dimon, who is often skeptical of new technologies and fads, said that there are about 200 people at JPMorgan dedicated to researching generative AI. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 28 Feb. 2024 Here’s What Would Be Impacted By A Partial Government Shutdown Agile Methodologies Become A Management Fad In the 2010s, Agile software development turned into a broader management fad. Steve Denning, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 The craze over the pink and red Stanley insulated cups at Target and Starbucks is the latest example of an age-old marketing practice, where companies create buzz to fuel a fad. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 Travel is one of those things everyone seems to love, but there are plenty of overplayed fads that can zap the joy out of one of life’s most fulfilling experiences. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 However, business leaders must recognize that generative AI isn't a passing fad but a fundamental shift in the technological landscape. Shreyans Mehta, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Top or no top, the Daytona has remained a favorite of Ferrari collectors for decades, through fads and falls. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Feb. 2024 Here are a few boozy fads to look out for in the Queen City this season. Alicia Valenski, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2024 In the United States, now more than 30 states regulate indoor tanning for those under the age of 18 as the fad seemed to slip away and people grasped the severity of the risks over time. Kimberley Dadds, Vogue, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fad.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1867, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fad was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near fad

Cite this Entry

“Fad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fad. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fad

noun
: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze
faddish adjective
faddist noun
faddy adjective

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on fad

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