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: mold, construct, frame

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. after a fashion
   after a fashionin a fashion
   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. after the fashion of
   after the fashion of like; similar to
9. of fashion
   of fashion of high social standing

verb

1. to give a particular form to
2. to make suitable or fitting
3. obsolete.
   to contrive; manage

Derived Forms

• ˈfashioner, noun

Other Words From

• fashion·less adjective
• anti·fashion noun adjective
• mis·fashion noun
• mis·fashioned adjective
• pre·fashion verb (used with object) noun
• pre·fashioned adjective
• re·fashion verb (used with object)
• trans·fashion noun
• un·fashioned adjective
• well-fashioned 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.

More idioms and phrases containing 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

Her name was Courtney, and she was a fashion editor for magazines like Photoplay, Screenland, Silver Screen.

From The Daily Beast

Good for her—but what a shameful indictment of Planet Fashion.

From The Daily Beast

Both high fashion and the fast, commercial fashion of Target are supposed to be about aspiration.

From The Daily Beast

When ‘Downton Abbey’ returns Sunday night, its fashion fans are in for a familiar treat.

From The Daily Beast

The fashion industry could never, would never, state its exclusion of black models overtly.

From The Daily Beast

It was a decayed house of superb proportions, but of a fashion long passed away.

From Project Gutenberg

Truth is a torch, but one of enormous size; so that we slink past it in rather a blinking fashion for fear it should burn us.

From Project Gutenberg

At last there appeared some probability of their accomplishing this, after a most curious and truly Mexican fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

In most club card-rooms smoking is not permitted, but at the Pandemonium it is the fashion to smoke everywhere.

From Project Gutenberg

In his childlike, impulsive fashion he had not thought of the future when he adopted Jean.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fad
• form
• look
• mode
• model
• pattern
• shape
• thing
• tone
• trend