fad

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈfad 

: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze

faddish

ˈfa-dish 

adjective

faddishly adverb

faddishness noun

faddism

ˈfa-ˌdi-zəm 

noun

faddist

ˈfa-dist 

noun

faddy

ˈfa-dē 

adjective

FAD

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˌef-ˌā-ˈdē 

: flavin adenine dinucleotide

Synonyms

Noun (1)

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

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

Use reliable public resources, like the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides or the Evidence for ESSA database, to separate the proven from the fads and to identify those practices and products that are grounded in research, not just good marketing. —Sara Schapiro, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

This isn’t just a fleeting online fad, however: According to the New York Road Runners, more than 12,000 20-somethings signed up for the NYC Marathon in 2024—a notable jump from 9,987 in 2023 and 8,039 in 2022. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 12 May 2025

Look at it as transformation, not a trend. Subscription boxes aren’t a fad. —Sarah Williams, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Avoid Crash Diets Countless dietary fads promise to boost your metabolism and manage your weight. —Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025

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

Rhymes for fad

• ad
• add
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• dad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had
• lad

Kids Definition

fad

noun

ˈfad 

: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze

faddish

ˈfad-ish 

adjective

faddist

ˈfad-əst 

noun

faddy

ˈfad-ē 

adjective

Medical Definition

FAD

noun

ˌef-(ˌ)ā-ˈdē 

: flavin adenine dinucleotide