trendsetter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Informal to Semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “trendsetter” mean?
A person, company, or product that starts or popularizes a new fashion, idea, or style that others then follow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, company, or product that starts or popularizes a new fashion, idea, or style that others then follow.
Any entity that initiates a significant shift in public taste, behaviour, or thought within a particular sphere, leading others to adopt the same pattern.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Slightly more common in fashion/media contexts in the UK, slightly broader use (tech, business) in the US.
Connotations
Generally positive, implying innovation and influence. Can carry a slightly negative connotation of superficiality or pretentiousness in critical contexts (e.g., 'He's just a trendsetter, not a real artist').
Frequency
More frequent in US English across all registers (business, tech, lifestyle); in UK English, it is common but slightly more concentrated in fashion and media discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “trendsetter” in a Sentence
trendsetter in + field (trendsetter in streetwear)trendsetter for + group (trendsetter for millennials)trendsetter among + peers (trendsetter among his colleagues)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trendsetter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The brand continues to trendset in ethical fashion.
- They've been trendsetting for years.
American English
- The brand continues to trend-set in ethical fashion.
- They've been trend-setting for years.
adverb
British English
- They dressed trendsettingly.
- The product was designed trendsettingly.
American English
- They dressed in a trend-setting way.
- The product was designed in a trend-setting manner.
adjective
British English
- The magazine highlighted her trendsetting style.
- It was a trendsetting move for the industry.
American English
- The magazine highlighted her trend-setting style.
- It was a trend-setting move for the industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to companies that define new market directions (e.g., 'The company aims to be a trendsetter in sustainable packaging').
Academic
Used in sociology, media studies, and marketing to describe agents of cultural diffusion.
Everyday
Common in discussions about fashion, music, technology, and social media (e.g., 'She's a real trendsetter with her home decor on Instagram').
Technical
Not a technical term; used descriptively within fields like marketing analytics or trend forecasting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trendsetter”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trendsetter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trendsetter”
- Misspelling as 'trend setter' or 'trend-setter' (standard is solid: trendsetter).
- Confusing with 'influencer' (a trendsetter creates new trends; an influencer may simply popularize existing ones).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is more common in informal and semi-formal contexts (business, media, lifestyle). In very formal academic writing, synonyms like 'pioneer' or 'innovator' might be preferred.
Yes, companies, brands, products, cities, and even ideas can be described as trendsetters. It applies to any entity that initiates a widely adopted trend.
A trendsetter originates or is among the very first to adopt a new trend. An influencer has the power to affect the purchasing decisions or opinions of others, often by popularizing trends that may already exist. All trendsetters are influencers, but not all influencers are trendsetters.
Usually, but it can be used neutrally or with slight criticism if the focus is on fleeting fashions rather than substance (e.g., 'He's more of a trendsetter than a deep thinker').
A person, company, or product that starts or popularizes a new fashion, idea, or style that others then follow.
Trendsetter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtrendsetə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtrendˌset̬.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set the trend (which is the verb form of the concept)”
- “ahead of the curve”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who SETS a new TREND, and others follow them like SETTer dogs follow a scent.
Conceptual Metaphor
FASHION/IDEAS ARE PATHS (pioneers create them, others follow); INFLUENCE IS LEADERSHIP.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'trendsetter'?