fashion

Main Entry:: ¹fash·ion
Pronunciation:: \ˈfa-sh^ən\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English facioun, fasoun shape, manner, from Anglo-French façun, fauschoun, from Latin faction-, factio act of making, faction, from facere to make — more at do
Date:: 14th century

1 a: the make or form of something barchaic : kind , sort2 a: a distinctive or peculiar and often habitual manner or way <he will, after his sour fashion, tell you — Shakespeare> b: mode of action or operation <assembled in an orderly fashion>3 a: a prevailing custom, usage, or style b (1): the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time (2): a garment in such a style <always wears the latest fashions> c: social standing or prominence especially as signalized by dress or conduct <men and women of fashion>

— after a fashion

: in an approximate or rough way <became an artist after a fashion>

synonyms 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>.

synonyms see in addition method

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