fashion

¹fash·ion

noun \ˈfa-sh^ən\

Definition of FASHION

1

a : the make or form of something

b archaic : kind, sort

2

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>

Examples of FASHION

1. Jewelry and clothing fashions vary with the season.
2. Short skirts have come back into fashion.
3. Those ruffled blouses went out of fashion years ago.
4. She always wears the latest fashions.
5. Literary fashions have changed in recent years.
6. We started the meeting in an orderly fashion.
7. We all lined up in orderly fashion.

Origin of FASHION

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to FASHION

Synonyms

buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, enthusiasm, fad, flavor, go, hot ticket, last word, latest, mode, rage, sensation, style, ton, trend, vogue

Related Words

nine days' wonder (also nine day wonder); new wave; crush, infatuation; fervor, passion; furor, fuss, hullabaloo, to-do, uproar; bandwagon, crusade, cult, movement; novelty, wrinkle; caprice, fancy, whim

Near Antonyms

classic, standard

Synonym Discussion of FASHION

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>.

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, imperial, pocket, pomander, tonsorial

²fashion

transitive verb

fash·ionedfash·ion·ing \ˈfash-niŋ, ˈfa-sh^ən-iŋ\

Definition of FASHION

1

a : to give shape or form to : mold

b : alter, transform

c : to mold into a particular character by influencing or training

d : to make or construct usually with the use of imagination and ingenuity <fashion a lamp from an old churn>

2

: fit, adapt

3

obsolete : contrive

— fash·ion·er \ˈfash-nər, ˈfa-shə-nər\ noun

Examples of FASHION

1. Students fashioned the clay into small figures.
2. She used the scraps of fabric to fashion a little doll's dress.
3. a table fashioned out of an old door

First Known Use of FASHION

15th century

Related to FASHION

Synonyms

acclimate, acclimatize, accommodate, adjust, condition, conform, doctor, edit, adapt, fit, put, shape, suit, tailor

Related Words

readapt, readjust; customize, gear, match, model, pattern; attune, correct, harmonize, square, tune; establish, root, settle; acquaint, familiarize, orient, orientate; equip, prepare, prime, rehearse; harden, inure, season, toughen; alter, convert, make over, modify, recast, reclaim, recycle, redesign, redevelop, redo, reengineer, refashion, refigure, refit, refocus, reinvent, rejigger, remake, remodel, revamp, revise, rework, transform; accustom, condition, habilitate, habituate, naturalize; ready, season; bend; fiddle (with), fine-tune, phase, register, regulate, rig

Near Antonyms

misadjust

Rhymes with FASHION

ashen, passion, ration

fashion

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any mode of dressing or adornment that is popular during a particular time or in a particular place (i.e., the current style). It can change from one period to the next, from generation to generation. It serves as a reflection of social and economic status, a function that explains the popularity of many styles throughout costume history; in the West, courts have been a major source of fashion. In the 19th and 20th centuries, fashion increasingly became an profitable, international industry as a result of the rise of world-renowned fashion houses and fashion magazines. See also dress.