fashion

noun fash·ion \ ˈfa-shən \

|Updated on: 16 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: fashion in a Sentence

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

In traditional boardshort fashion, this pair doesn’t have a mesh liner.

— the editors, Outside Online, "Seven Steals at Huckberry’s Summer Sale," 12 July 2018
In his inimitable fashion, Musk started tossing out fresh ideas for ways to free the boys, chatting with his followers.

— wendy dent, WIRED, "The Engineering Behind Elon Musk's Bid to Save Thailand's Cave Boys," 11 July 2018
Since the Brexit referendum, the public has witnessed a circus of chicanery, buffoonery and idiocy that Boris Johnson’s exit will only ease in the most marginal of fashions.

— sean williams, The New Republic, "England’s World Cup Team: the Anti-Brexit," 10 July 2018
And fashion, which has long shed blue-collar jobs in the United States, is in turn a leading example of how artificial intelligence is affecting a range of white-collar work as well.

— tory newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Voters already fear economic pain from Trump's trade war," 9 July 2018
Generally, scientific computation is done in a deterministic fashion.

— andy patrizio, Ars Technica, "The AI revolution has spawned a new chips arms race," 9 July 2018
Another swift counterattack enabled the Red Devils to double their lead in stunning fashion in the 31st minute.

— james taylor, Pro Soccer USA, "Brazil 1-2 Belgium: Red Devils Shatter Brazil’s Dreams With Clinical Display to Set Up France Clash," 6 July 2018
Should quarterback remain a question mark for Kentucky heading into game No. 4, star running back Benny Snell might not be enough to win many games in shootout fashion.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "Here's how Kentucky football can win (or lose) against Miss. State," 5 July 2018
The new data will begin to roll out in the coming weeks in a very limited fashion.

— jacob kastrenakes, The Verge, "Apple is rebuilding Maps with its own data," 29 June 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

By the early 19th century, American men were sporting condoms fashioned from animal intestines.

— carolyn todd, Allure, "The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America," 12 July 2018
Public Landing has vertical, cathedral-like ceilings, walls fashioned from local quarried limestone, and a centerpiece bar.

— patrick z. mcgavin, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Public Landing in Lockport," 8 July 2018
First on the agenda for the dozen youngsters was to travel outside to gather items to make a picture of their favorite animal, which the campers would fashion out of their finds.

— sue ellen ross, Post-Tribune, "Critter Camp gives Northwest Indiana kids a hands-on approach to nature," 7 July 2018
Until then, expect the ol' fashioned lift-and-compare routine from your friendly airport immigration officer.

— sebastian modak, Condé Nast Traveler, "Orlando Airport Will Be First in the U.S. to Scan Faces of All International Passengers," 22 June 2018
But the old fashioned was invented at the Pendennis Club, a private club in Louisville that is still open.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "10 fun (and weird) facts about Louisville you probably didn't know," 18 June 2018
Others bear wicked-looking axes and spears, and a few have fashioned crossbows out of surgical tubing and bamboo bolts.

— The Economist, "Stone-carving villagers make Indian officials jittery," 7 June 2018
Photos taken at the property show rows of pens fashioned out of chain-link fences and plywood. Alene Tchekmedyian Alene Tchekmedyian is a Metpro reporter covering breaking news in California.

— alene tchekmedyian, latimes.com, "More than 1,000 game fowl used for cockfighting seized during animal cruelty investigation, authorities say," 12 Apr. 2018
Alice Cooper, who played the part of King Herod, wore a yellow-gold suit complete with matching Chelsea boots, while Brandon Victor Dixon, who played Judas, wore various elements fashioned out of crystals and black leather.

— megan gustashaw, GQ, "John Legend Was a Most Fashionable Jesus," 2 Apr. 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.