Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

fad

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of fad

a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time

  • once the fad for that kind of music had passed, nobody would have been caught dead listening to it
Synonyms of fad

buzz, chic, craze, dernier cri, enthusiasm, fashion, flavor, go, hot ticket, last word, latest, mode, rage, sensation, style, ton, trend, vogue
Words Related to fad

nine days' wonder (also nine day wonder)

new wave

crush, infatuation

fervor, passion

furor, fuss, hullabaloo, to-do, uproar

bandwagon, crusade, cult, movement

novelty, wrinkle

caprice, fancy, whim
Near Antonyms of fad

classic, standard

Synonym Discussion of fad

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

Learn More about fad

  1. See words that rhyme with fad Dictionary: Definition of fad Medical Dictionary: Definition of fad Spanish Central: Translation of fad Nglish: Translation of fad for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fad for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fad

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fad? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games