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 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>

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