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

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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

The painting is a masterwork, the organizers of this show from the Art Institute and the Getty argue, a paragon on canvas of modern femininity, of haute fashion, of painterly technique, of seasonal representation. — Steve Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "'Manet and Modern Beauty' now at the Art Institute suggests that you don't know your Manet," 12 June 2019 Although Earth and Venus began in a similar fashion, the two have wandered down drastically different evolutionary paths—diverging perhaps as recently as 715 million years ago. — Shannon Hall, Scientific American, "Venus, Earth’s Evil Twin, Beckons Space Agencies," 12 June 2019 Katherine Schwarzenegger went high-fashion with her wedding day looks for her nuptials to actor Chris Pratt, wearing not one, but two custom Armani Privé creations. — Colleen Kratofil, PEOPLE.com, "You Can Still Buy Katherine Schwarzenegger's $278 Wedding Rehearsal Dress (but It's Going Fast!)," 12 June 2019 While people can debate whether planet-friendly proclamations by corporations are a substantive shift or window dressing, the fashion, health, and beauty sectors have been making their interest clear. — Kim Bhasin, Fortune, "Chanel Invests in Boston Startup Making Sustainable Silk," 11 June 2019 That’s where any similarity to her character, who struts around in expensive designer fashions, ceases. — Jeanne Jakle, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio actress checks into Eva Longoria’s ‘Grand Hotel’," 11 June 2019 Previous SlideNext Slide The game's mix of real-time and paused-menu action was demonstrated in lengthy, breathtaking fashion by a battle sequence between Cloud, Barret, and a massive Scorpion Sentinel. — Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, "Final Fantasy VII Remake headlines Square Enix E3 event, gets March 2020 launch," 11 June 2019 The entire building reacted initially in very strange fashion, as some of the Warriors were quick to point out. — Andrew Sharp And Ben Golliver, SI.com, "Trying to Process the Shock and Horror of Kevin Durant's Achilles Injury," 11 June 2019 While fashion is still so white, Black creatives will continue to create the blueprint for innovative style that shapes culture. — Nandi Howard, Essence, "Black Designers Didn’t Take Home Any CFDA Awards," 5 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Among the new additions, a stunning sculpture of Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall fashioned from countless pieces of slate and modeled after the intimate portrait of the royal couple, released on their Christmas card in 2015. — Simon Perry, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William and Prince Harry Are Sharing Their Childhood Treehouse with Their Kids," 14 June 2019 Over his coaching career, Brown has fashioned a 145-119-5 record. — Pomerado News, "Maranatha hires veteran football coach," 11 June 2019 And by destroying—albeit incompletely—references to Hatshepsut and her reign, Thutmose III fashioned a direct line to his eponymous predecessors, strengthening his claim and his legacy as the rightful and most powerful ruler of Egypt. — National Geographic, "Was this ancient Egypt's greatest military leader?," 10 June 2019 Rounding up the action at the Padres’ minor league affiliates Kyle McGrath, through seven innings, fashioned a perfect start. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Minors: Kyle McGrath taking strides in rotation, Gabriel Arias homers twice," 10 June 2019 Two established members of L.A.’s fashion retail scene created a brand-new venture in April, a fashion line called Sun Becomes Her. — Kavita Daswani, latimes.com, "Sun Becomes Her label offers new women’s styles fit for summer," 5 June 2019 Vergara's favorites include good ol' fashioned, reliable Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($14) and Cetaphil Liquid Makeup Remover ($11). — Leah Prinzivalli, Allure, "Sofia Vergara's Favorite Drugstore Skin-Care Products Include $11 Makeup Remover and $14 Cleanser," 31 May 2019 More: New movies this week: 'Men in Black International,' 'Late Night' More: Meet the new 'Shaft,' same as the old 'Shaft' Jarmusch, who also wrote the script, has fashioned a political satire. — Bill Goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, "'The Dead Don't Die' should be great. So why isn’t it?," 13 May 2019 What counts is that Craig Lucas has fashioned a tight book that gives the characters a good deal of flesh-and-blood depth, while building up a tender, rather affecting portion of good old-fashioned heart. — Tim Smith, baltimoresun.com, "Charm, humor, color keep 'American in Paris' twirling at the Hippodrome," 4 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.

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