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

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 In classic Trek fashion, Pike and his crew uncover something seemingly inexplicable—a camp of humans far, far from their Earthly home. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "'Star Trek: Discovery' Gets Back to Basics," 25 Jan. 2019 Vince Known for its minimal but still fashion-forward pieces, Vince enters the subscription game with Vince Unfold. — Leah Bourne, Glamour, "There's a New Trend in Fashion Subscription Boxes—and We Put It to the Test," 10 Jan. 2019 The not-so-fashion-forward footwear is especially popular among kids, gardeners, and beachgoers alike, and now, even your pet can get in on the controversial trend. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "This Croc-Shaped Pet Bed Is One Shoe You Won't Mind Your Dog Having," 31 Dec. 2018 Schwartz and Savage are using a twist on the Monster of the Week structure by regularly introducing characters and conflicts that only stick around for about three episodes before being resolved, typically in a lethal fashion. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Season 2 of Runaways forges a bold new path — eventually," 21 Dec. 2018 Because designer Kerby Jean-Raymond used fashion to convey a message that many black Americans can relate to, especially in recent months. — Mekita Rivas, Teen Vogue, "Yara Shahidi Wears Pyer Moss “Stop Calling 911" T-Shirt in Los Angeles," 22 Oct. 2018 Hiut has become a thriving boutique fashion brand (Exhibit A: Meghan Markle), and Mr. Hieatt has written a book about the power of email newsletters for business. — Christopher Mims, WSJ, "The Hot New Channel for Reaching Real People: Email," 19 Jan. 2019 According to sources, Rihanna is launching her own clothing collection with the French conglomerate LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Celine, and Fendi, among other heritage fashion brands. — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Rihanna’s Reportedly Launching a Luxury Fashion Brand—What Will It Look Like?," 18 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Steel-cut, quick-cooking, old fashioned—these varieties all taste different and delicious in their own way. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How to Eat Oatmeal Every Day Without Getting Sick of It," 4 Jan. 2019 Originally fashioned as a 35-room Tuscan villa for a financier in 1911, Glenmere Mansion underwent a painstaking restoration to return to its original beauty. — Ariel Okin, Vogue, "8 Romantic Winter Weekend Getaways From New York City," 29 Dec. 2018 The Democrats are trying to belittle the concept of a Wall, calling it old fashioned. — Emily Stewart, Vox, "“Shutdown today”: Trump is going all in for the border wall," 21 Dec. 2018 Early rescue efforts by the St. Paul Fire Department and building workers, who fashioned a makeshift ladder, proved unsuccessful. — Eli Meixler, Time, "Free Climbing Raccoon Captures Hearts and Minds Scaling Minnesota Skyscraper," 13 June 2018 There’s no question that the rise of fast fashion and the ever-increasing rate at which consumers are discarding clothes has contributed to fashion’s serious environmental problem. — Tabor Wordelman, Teen Vogue, "Your Yoga Pants Are Polluting the Water You Drink," 19 Dec. 2018 Its packaging is so perfectly made for the 'gram that the brand even fashioned a life-sized version for photo opps at Sephora's beauty festival this fall. — Kellie Ell, Glamour, "Social Media Is Killing Mascara," 28 Nov. 2018 In a side room occupied by two goats, the Afghans found a homemade grenade fashioned out of ammonium-nitrate explosives in a blue Party Extreme energy-drink can. — Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, "‘I Think I’ve Been Shot’: Nighttime Raid in Afghanistan Reveals New U.S. Strategy," 5 Dec. 2018 Emrata told Jimmy Fallon in an appearance on The Tonight Show that Sebastian proposed over dinner at Minetta Tavern, with a ring fashioned out of a paper clip from their dinner bill. — Carrie Goldberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Emily Ratajkowski Just Revealed Her Engagement Ring–Five Months After Her Surprise Wedding," 12 July 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