fashion

[fash-uhn]

noun

1. a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc..

   the latest fashion in dresses.

   Synonyms: craze, rage, fad, mode

2. conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., especially of polite society, or conformity to it.

   the dictates of fashion; to be out of fashion.

3. manner; way; mode.

   in a warlike fashion.

4. the make or form of anything.

   He liked the fashion of the simple, sturdy furniture.

   Synonyms: figure, pattern, cut, shape

5. a kind; sort.

   All fashions of people make up the world.

6. Obsolete.,  workmanship.

7. Obsolete.,  act or process of making.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a particular shape or form to; make.

   The cavemen fashioned tools from stones.

   Synonyms: construct, frame, mold

2. to accommodate; adjust; adapt.

   doctrines fashioned to the varying hour.

   Synonyms: fit, suit

3. Shipbuilding.,  to bend (a plate) without preheating.

4. Obsolete.,  to contrive; manage.

fashion

/ ˈfæʃən /

noun

1. 1. style in clothes, cosmetics, behaviour, etc, esp the latest or most admired style

   2. ( as modifier )

      a fashion magazine

2. (modifier) (esp of accessories) designed to be in the current fashion, but not necessarily to last

3. 1. manner of performance; mode; way

      in a striking fashion

   2. ( in combination )

      crab-fashion

4. a way of life that revolves around the activities, dress, interests, etc, that are most fashionable

5. shape, appearance, or form

6. sort; kind; type

7. 1. in some manner, but not very well

      I mended it, after a fashion

   2. of a low order; of a sort

      he is a poet, after a fashion

8. like; similar to

9. of high social standing

verb

1. to give a particular form to

2. to make suitable or fitting

3. obsolete,  to contrive; manage

Other Word Forms

• fashioner noun
• fashionless adjective
• antifashion noun
• misfashion noun
• misfashioned adjective
• prefashion verb (used with object)
• prefashioned adjective
• refashion verb (used with object)
• transfashion noun
• unfashioned adjective
• well-fashioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fashion¹

First recorded in 1300–1350; Middle English facioun, fasoun “shape, manner,” from Anglo-French faço(u)n, façun, Old French faceon, from Latin factiōn- (stem of factiō ) “a making, company, party.” See faction ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fashion¹

C13 facioun form, manner, from Old French faceon , from Latin factiō a making, from facere to make

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. after / in a fashion, in some manner or other or to some extent; in a makeshift, unskillful, or unsatisfactory way.

   He's an artist after a fashion.

see after a fashion; in fashion.

Synonym Study

Fashion, style, vogue imply popularity or widespread acceptance of manners, customs, dress, etc. Fashion is that which characterizes or distinguishes the habits, manners, dress, etc., of a period or group: the fashions of the 18th century. Style is sometimes the equivalent of fashion, but also denotes conformance to a prevalent standard: to be in style; a chair in the Queen Anne style. Vogue suggests the temporary popularity of certain fashions: this year's vogue in popular music.

Example Sentences

Last month, fashion chain River Island said it would close 33 stores in a restructuring move after struggling with high costs and multi-million pound losses.

From BBC

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., has been embodying the dilemma in a highly dramatic fashion, as is her habit.

From Salon

"It was the largest city in western Europe, with a population of over half a million, and it had an ebullient print media that was constantly commentating on the fashions and follies of the age."

From BBC

Born Melanija Knavs in Slovenia, the 55-year-old first lady and former fashion model was, for a time, often described as an "enigma" - less public than her predecessors, with fewer speeches and public engagements.

From BBC

The look was all the more striking compared with the leading fashion influences of the day.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adapt 
• build 
• carve 
• construct 
• devise 
• dream up 
• erect 
• fit 
• forge 
• manufacture 
• mold 
• produce 
• shape 
• tailor 

When To Use

What is a basic definition of fashion?

Fashion is a popular style or trend of something, especially clothing. Fashion is also the general conventions of politeness that society conforms to or an attitude or manner. Fashion can also mean to create something. Fashion has several other senses as a noun and a verb.Fashion means a popular trend or a style, especially when it comes to clothing.Real-life examples: Supermodels display the latest fashions of designer clothing on catwalks. Fashion magazines discuss the most popular clothing styles. We often look back with nostalgia (or embarrassment) of popular fashions of clothing, dance, and music of past decades.Used in a sentence: The pop singer only wore clothes that were of the latest fashions. More generally, fashion is used to refer to what society as a whole considers to be acceptable dress, manners, or etiquette. In this sense, something is often said to be “in fashion” or “out of fashion.” In both this and the previous sense, the word fashionable describes something or someone that conforms to popular fashions.Real-life example: The word groovy was once a popular word to mean something was great or excellent. Today, groovy has largely fallen out of fashion. If you use it, you may be considered out of touch with popular slang.Used in a sentence: Ripped jeans came back in fashion after the popular singer started wearing them. Fashion is a manner or attitude. This sense is often written as “in a … fashion.”Used in a sentence: The man walked through the mall in a sloth-like fashion. Fashion also means to create or build something. This sense often implies that you put something together quickly or had to use whatever parts were available.Used in a sentence: The stranded sailor fashioned a fishing rod out of a stick and twine.