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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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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