fashion

noun

fash·ion | \ ˈfa-shən

Definition of fashion

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a(1) : the prevailing style (as in dress) during a particular time The spring fashions are now on display.

(2) : a garment in such a style always wears the latest fashions

b : a prevailing custom, usage, or style Literary fashions have changed in recent years.

c : social standing or prominence especially as signalized by dress or conduct men and women of fashion

2a : mode of action or operation assembled in an orderly fashion not even changing fashions in warfare have diminished the island's strategic importance— Franc Shor

b : a distinctive or peculiar and often habitual manner or way he will, after his sour fashion, tell you— William Shakespeare

3a : the make or form of something A lamp in the fashion of a silver dove was hung from an almost invisible golden wire in the centre of the room.— Arthur Conan Doyle

b archaic : kind, sort

after a fashion

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

fashion

verb

fashioned; fashioning\ ˈfash-niŋ

, ˈfa-shᵊn-iŋ \; fashions

Definition of fashion (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to give shape or form to : to make, construct, or create (something) usually with careful attention or by the use of imagination and ingenuity fashion a lamp from an old churn a figure fashioned from clay … delegating to the commander-in-chief the power to fashion the rules of the military justice system …— Fred Strasser Up there in the mountains old ladies … are still hooking rugs … and fashioning dainty dolls out of corn shucks.— Richard Atcheson

2 : to design or devise for a particular use or purpose … were the vessels fashioned for royalty distinguished from objects intended for nonroyal consumers? — Asian Art

3 obsolete : contrive

Other Words from fashion Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about fashion

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for fashion

Noun

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

Noun

fashion, style, and fad mean the way that up-to-date people do things. fashion is used of any custom (as a way of dressing or behaving) that is widely accepted at any one time or place. It was once the fashion for everyone to wear hats. style may suggest a fashion that is approved of by people with taste. The house was decorated in the latest style. fad is used for something that is very popular and often only for a short time. Beach tennis may be just a fad.

Examples of fashion in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

British fashion retailer Ted Baker PLC said its founder and chief executive has resigned with immediate effect following an investigation into his alleged misconduct. — Ian Walker, WSJ, "Ted Baker CEO Resigns After Misconduct Probe," 4 Mar. 2019 Of course, in classic Quantic Dream fashion this news was delivered by a, uh...a CGI android lady? — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: The sordid tale of Starbreeze's stumbles, Overwatch players learn piano (with guns)," 1 Feb. 2019 Walmart has revamped its website with a focus on fashion and home furnishings. — Anne D'innocenzio, The Seattle Times, "Walmart flexes in the fourth quarter, beats all expectations," 20 Feb. 2019 According to the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, the fashion industry generates 1.2 billion tons of greenhouse emissions every year, more than the amount created by international flights and maritime shipping combined. — Erin Quinn-kong, Woman's Day, "Are Your Fast-Fashion Clothes Killing Farmers?," 14 Feb. 2019 Tiny versions of succulents may be adorable, but buying them in Costco's signature bulk style fashion is an entirely new addition to the plant game. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "PSA: Costco Is Selling Entire Succulent Gardens for $20," 13 Feb. 2019 This pushed popular fashion toward a more mature look. — Eliza Brooke, Vox, "How the Great Recession influenced a decade of design," 27 Dec. 2018 The feature is currently being tested in Thailand, where a community of independent sellers have recently taken to Facebook Live to sell a variety of products, from cosmetics to handbags and other fashion items. — Natt Garun, The Verge, "Facebook is testing a shopping mode for live-streamers," 6 Dec. 2018 Despite having not been invited to either of Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding ceremonies, Ellen DeGeneres was generous enough to give the newlyweds the best wedding gift of all time—in true Ellen fashion. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Ellen DeGeneres Gave Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas the Funniest Wedding Gift...Ever," 5 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Commercial versions can be small and flimsy, but homemade cages fashioned from livestock panels will stay strong and durable. — Doug Hall, Good Housekeeping, "The 4 Best Ways to Support Your Tomato Plants," 19 July 2018 The man who fashioned himself a killer snake wants to raise your children. — Lee Jenkins, SI.com, "Fantastic Voyage: Kobe Bryant Is Now an Entertainment Mogul with a Friendlier Mission," 12 July 2018 Holmes, who at one point in Theranos' rise saw her net worth reach nearly $5 billion, fashioned herself as the next Steve Jobs, the visionary founder of Apple. — Rachel Leingang, azcentral, "Theranos experimented on Arizonans with faulty blood tests, book says," 7 June 2018 The idea for The Monkees show had been to fashion them after the Beatles. — Steve Marinucci, Billboard, "The Monkees' Mike Nesmith & Micky Dolenz on Their New Tour, TV Legacy & the Rock Hall of Fame," 30 May 2018 The Republican has fashioned himself in the image of President Donald Trump, taking hardline stances on immigration, military force and even using images of the President in his campaign videos. — Abigail Abrams, Time, "Missouri GOP Senate Candidate Says He Expects Dinner on the Table from His Fiancé Every Night," 27 Jan. 2018 As well as being fashioned from recycled bottles, the Zodiac Rothy's are also completely machine-washable. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle's Beloved Rothy's Flats Just Got a Zodiac Update," 15 Jan. 2019 But Jurgen Klopp has fashioned a stylish and effective team at Anfield and with further reinforcements to come in, this will not be their last shot at major silverware. — SI.com, "Virgil Van Dijk Urges Liverpool to Be 'Proud' Despite Champions League Final Defeat," 27 May 2018 Through Tuesday, Decker was batting .524 as the Pioneers had fashioned a 7-1 record and risen to No. 5 in the Inquirer Top 25. — Phil Anastasia, Philly.com, "Mike Decker's return from ACL tear sparks Clearview in baseball," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fashion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for fashion

Noun

Middle English fasoun, fasioun, fascioun, facioun, borrowed from Anglo-French façun, fauschoun "production, construction, appearance, form, sort, manner," going back to Latin factiōn-, factiō "act of making," from facere "to make, bring about, do" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at fact

Note: The Anglo-French form with a hushing consonant that was borrowed into Middle English reflects the Picard outcome of the Latin cluster [ktj]. A doublet of faction.

Verb

Middle English fascionen, in part verbal derivative of fascioun fashion entry 1, in part borrowed from Middle French façonner, derivative of façon fashion entry 1