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

At 21, her acne came back in full force due to a shift in hormones and stress, the latter due to a non-stop fashion show schedule. — Kate Branch, Vogue, "Kendall Jenner Finally Sets the Record Straight on Her Acne—And It’s Empowering," 7 Jan. 2019 As a result, Rudd's mix of stumbles, silliness, and determination gels together in far more convincing fashion this time. — Sam Machkovech And Nathan Mattise, Ars Technica, "Films for the discerning nerd: Ars picks the best of 2018," 27 Dec. 2018 This format began with eyeglasses a few years ago and spread to personal care items, fashion, and mattresses. — Diana Budds, Curbed, "The rise of the direct-to-consumer home," 21 Dec. 2018 This was also designed by one of the winners of our fashion show in 2017. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "What’s in your bag, Ashley Eckstein?," 14 Dec. 2018 Naturally, Kylie put on a mini fashion show, showing off the under-$65 collection on her Instagram Stories. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Kylie Jenner Rocks BFF Jordyn Woods’ Under-$65 Clothing Line and She Looks Smokin’ Hot," 12 Dec. 2018 Victoria's entire family recently sat front row to support her at her brand's 10th anniversary fashion show during London Fashion Week in September. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Beckhams Were the Cutest Family at the British Fashion Awards," 11 Dec. 2018 Backstage at the Victoria's Secret 2018 fashion show, there was a lot of pink (the rug, the chairs, the tablecloths). — Sophia Panych, Allure, "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2018: Why Charlotte Tilbury Didn't Use Highlighter on the Angels," 8 Nov. 2018 The sentiment behind her post highlights exactly how fashion can be symbolic, especially for women. — Rebekka Ayres, Teen Vogue, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Destroyed Shoes Are Now a Historical Artifact," 30 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 The participants began to fashion a plan to bring in material support and plan for the future. — Steve West, Sun-Sentinel.com, "A rally for MAMA | Opinion," 9 July 2018 Actress Rosario Dawson is trying to do to fashion what Jessica Alba did to home supplies with the Honest Company. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "Rosario Dawson Just Won a Big Sustainable Fashion Award," 27 June 2018 Ivanka appears to have fashioned her family after the Kennedy’s—even giving each of her kids a name that easily traces back to Camelot. — Elisabeth Egan, Glamour, "Born Trump: Inside America’s Family," 26 June 2018 The devastation that Europe and Asia had suffered during the war meant that only the United States had the capacity to fashion a new order. — Ali Wyne, The New Republic, "Is America Choosing Decline?," 21 June 2018 And each is trying to fashion a solution that can unite their respective conferences. — James Hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump’s family separation policy tests the leadership abilities of Ryan and McConnell," 20 June 2018 How wonderful that someone's even attempting to fashion such a sharp stake. — Brian Barrett, WIRED, "It's Time to Get Excited About the Future of PCs. (Yes, PCs)," 8 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.

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