fashion
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
A popular or current style, especially in clothing, hair, decoration, or behaviour.
The production and marketing of new styles of goods, especially clothing and cosmetics; a manner or way of doing something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can refer to an industry, a transient trend, or a characteristic manner.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage largely identical. 'Fashion' as a verb (meaning 'to make or shape') is more common in British English, though rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, can have superficial or industry-specific connotations.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to be in fashionto come into fashionto go out of fashionto set a fashion forto fashion something from/out of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “after a fashion”
- “in a timely fashion”
- “fashion victim”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the multi-billion dollar global industry encompassing design, manufacturing, and retail.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, sociology, and marketing to analyse trends, consumer behaviour, and identity.
Everyday
Commonly used to discuss clothing styles, personal taste, or current trends in various aspects of life.
Technical
In manufacturing/sewing, refers to the specific cut or style of a garment. In broader sense, can mean 'manner' (e.g., 'a haphazard fashion').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He fashioned a crude shelter from the branches.
- The policy was fashioned in response to the crisis.
American English
- She fashioned a career out of her unique talents.
- The artist fashioned the sculpture from reclaimed metal.
adverb
British English
- The work was completed in a workmanlike fashion.
- They proceeded in an orderly fashion.
American English
- Please line up in a single-file fashion.
- He addressed the issue in a roundabout fashion.
adjective
British English
- She works for a fashion magazine.
- The fashion industry is highly competitive.
American English
- He's a top fashion photographer.
- They attended New York Fashion Week.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her dress is the latest fashion.
- Short hair is in fashion now.
- I like to follow fashion.
- The fashion show displayed designs from new creators.
- That style of jeans went out of fashion years ago.
- She has a great sense of fashion.
- The documentary critiqued the exploitative nature of the fast fashion industry.
- He managed the project in a highly efficient fashion.
- Her work blurs the line between art and fashion.
- The novel dissects the fickle nature of fashion and societal acceptance.
- The agreement was fashioned through complex diplomatic negotiations.
- They argued that the law was fashioned on an antiquated model.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FASHION sounds like 'flash on' – something that flashes on the scene for a short time before disappearing.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION IS A FLUID (currents, waves, flows), FASHION IS A JOURNEY (coming, going, arriving, departing).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating "fashion" as "мода" in contexts like "in a timely fashion" (meaning 'in a timely manner'), which is a false friend.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'fashion' as an uncountable noun when referring to a specific style (e.g., 'She wore a fashion' is incorrect). Overusing 'fashion' where 'style', 'trend', or 'manner' is more precise.
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'fashion' to mean 'manner or way'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most commonly associated with clothing, 'fashion' can refer to popular trends in anything (e.g., furniture, music, speech) or mean 'a way of doing something' (e.g., 'in a timely fashion').
'Fashion' is often external, temporary, and industry-driven (what is popular now). 'Style' is more personal, internal, and enduring (an individual's distinctive way of expression).
Yes, though less common. As a verb, 'fashion' means 'to make, shape, or create,' often with skill or effort (e.g., 'He fashioned a tool from a stone').
It means 'to some extent' or 'not very well' (e.g., 'He can speak French after a fashion'). It implies a degree of adequacy but not skill or perfection.
Collections
Part of a collection
Colors and Clothes
A1 · 45 words · Colors and common items of clothing.