noun
Uncommon
fad
fad
Fad (noun) means something that becomes suddenly popular but only for a short while. Example: “Fidget spinners were a huge fad a few years ago.”
noun
1
Something that becomes suddenly popular but only for a short while.
"You're a fad, that means you're something that we've already had, but once you're gone, you don't come back."
— Andre R. Young, Encore (2004)
"Fidget spinners were a huge fad a few years ago."
"Diet fads come and go every year."
"The pet rock fad was started by an advertising executive named Gary Dahl. The premise was simple: take ordinary rocks, glue eyes on them, and market them as pets."
— Eric J. Cesal, Down Detour Road: An Architect in Search of Practice (2010)
How to use fad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trend that blows up fast and fades just as fast.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a passing fad
diet fad
fashion fad
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Word forms
- Plural
- fads
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fidget spinners were a huge _____ a few years ago.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly linked to an old English dialect word for "order, tidiness," or to a French word for a trivial idea.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “fad” mean?
The word “fad” means something that becomes suddenly popular but only for a short while. In plain terms, a trend that blows up fast and fades just as fast.
How do you pronounce “fad”?
“Fad” is pronounced fad (/fæd/ in IPA).
How do you use “fad” in a sentence?
Here is “fad” used in a sentence: “Fidget spinners were a huge fad a few years ago.”
What part of speech is “fad”?
“Fad” is a noun.
Where does the word “fad” come from?
The word “fad” comes from French. Origin uncertain — possibly linked to an old English dialect word for "order, tidiness," or to a French word for a trivial idea.
Is “fad” a common word?
“Fad” is an uncommon word in modern English.
