fashion

noun fash·ion \ ˈfa-shən \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of fashion

1 a (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

2 a : 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

3 a : 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

See fashion defined for English-language learners

See fashion defined for kids

Examples of fashion in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of fashion from the Web

Monti notes that this treatment was typical; Le Guin had set out to write a story that was pointedly not in the framework of The Lord of the Rings, only to have the stories marketed in much the same fashion.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "With The Books of Earthsea, Ursula K. Le Guin’s fantasy epic gets the treatment it deserves," 15 May 2018
However, those who viewed their fate as linked with other African Americans and those who did not responded in the same fashion to stereotypically African American or stereotypically white names.

— kevin wallsten, Washington Post, "Whites oppose — and blacks support — paying NCAA athletes, especially when they’re thinking about race," 14 May 2018
This year's fashion trend was an ode to spring, as many ladies opted for a duo-pattern look that showcased a plain colored top with breathtaking floral patterns splashed across the skirt.

— anne nickoloff, cleveland.com, "North Olmsted High School celebrates 2018 prom at La Centre (photos)," 13 May 2018
Gragson celebrated his second career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at Kansas Speedway on Friday in the same fashion — minus the vomit.

— todd engle, kansascity, "Noah Gragson picks up NASCAR trucks win at Kansas Speedway | The Kansas City Star," 11 May 2018
Styled in the fashion of an Italian shopping promenade, notable boutiques include T. Carolyn, Lulla Blue Boutique and B. de Vine.

— Houston Chronicle, "Where to shop 'til you drop in Houston," 10 May 2018
The exhibition was curated by Lidewij Edelkoort, an educator and fashion trend forecaster, who for years has voiced her dismay at the casual consumption and trashing of clothes.

— New York Times, "Trends in Design and Home Furnishings," 8 May 2018
The second best thing about the Met Gala, after the fabulous celebrity fashion, is the memes!

— victoria rodriguez, Seventeen, "10 Best 2018 Met Gala Memes," 8 May 2018
But it’s especially striking to recognize the fashion of odious characters and be reminded that our own clothing is inherently political.

— samuel hine, GQ, "The MAGA Men Who Love Ultra-High-End Italian Suiting," 8 May 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.

Origin and Etymology of fashion

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.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 3a

See Words from the same year

fashion Synonyms

Synonyms

custom, habit, habitude, pattern, practice (also practise), ritual, second nature, trick, way, wont;

Related Words

addiction;

disposition;

bent, inclination, proclivity, set, tendency, tenor, turn;

bag, convention, form, mode, style;

usage, use;

deportment, manners, mores;

drill, groove, jog trot, regime (also régime), regimen, rote, routine, rut;

affectation, airs, pose;

attribute, characteristic, mark, trait;

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

synonyms see in addition method

Other Fashion Terms

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

fashion

verb

Definition of fashion

fashioned; fashioning play \ˈfash-niŋ, ˈfa-shᵊn-iŋ\

transitive verb

1 a : to give shape or form to : mold

fashioned a sculpture of the general on his horse

fashioned a career in urban restoration
—Horace Sutton

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

—

fashioner

play \ˈfash-nər, ˈfa-shə-nər\ noun

See fashion defined for English-language learners

Examples of fashion in a Sentence

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 of fashion from the Web

The 20 units destroyed by the fire were fashioned from Atco-style trailer buildings lined up on either side of a connecting hallway.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "Motive unclear in suspected arson fire that destroyed Cantwell Lodge," 8 May 2018
Inspired by Sicily’s history, perfumers Cécile Matton and Julie Massé fashioned the ancient ingredient incense into a fragrance.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "Dolce & Gabbana’s New Perfume Is for Incense Lovers," 4 May 2018
Meanwhile, Hogenson fashioned a career in sales with J.C. Penney, working for the company in Seattle, New York and Brussels before his retirement.

— hal bernton, The Seattle Times, "Seattle’s now-vacant Russian consul residence rekindles memories of family that built it," 28 Apr. 2018
Detroit Lions Taken with the 76th pick from the University of Wisconsin, Levy has fashioned an excellent career with the Lions, though the team released him in 2017 (and subsequently became engaged in an injury dispute with Levy).

— jr radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A compilation of Wisconsin high school players selected in the NFL draft," 24 Apr. 2018
The DIYers fashioned the set up using an old cabin, a pickup bed, a catch basin, some liner, and a bunch of rocks and slabs.

— jessica leigh mattern, Country Living, "Truck Yeah! You Can DIY This Amazing Waterfall in Your Very Own Backyard," 11 Apr. 2018
Another four will fashion the gas into plastics or carbon-fibre composites.

— The Economist, "$15m is available to solve a burning problem," 9 Apr. 2018
Arguably one of football's greatest features is a good old fashioned, against-all-odds comeback.

— SI.com, "6 of the Most Unbelievable Comebacks in Recent Footballing History," 28 Mar. 2018
Above is a wicker headliner, and in back is a cooler made from 1960s luggage and a toolbox fashioned from the valve cover of this Wagoneer’s original 3.8-liter inline-six engine.

— greg fink, Car and Driver, "Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip Concept Is an Ode to a Past Era," 20 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fashion

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fashion Synonyms

FASHION Defined for English Language Learners

fashion

noun

Definition of fashion for English Language Learners

: a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people
: the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles
fashions : clothes that are popular

fashion

verb

Definition of fashion for English Language Learners

: to form (something) into something else : to make (something) from something else

FASHION Defined for Kids

fashion

noun fash·ion \ ˈfa-shən \

Definition of fashion for Students

1 : the popular style of a thing at a certain time or among a certain group

2 : manner 2, way

“This trial will be conducted in an orderly fashion.”
—Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

Synonym Discussion of fashion

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.