fashion
Fashion (noun) means Popular styles of clothing and appearance at a given time, or the industry built around them. Example: “She works as a buyer in the fashion industry.”
How to use fashion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCurrent clothing trends and styles, or, more broadly, a particular way of doing something.
Word forms
fashioned past tense, fashions plural, fashions singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She works as a buyer in the _____ industry.
Etymology
From Old French façon, "shape, make, appearance," ultimately from Latin factio, "a making" — a doublet of "faction."
Related words
Rhymes for fashion
Frequently asked questions
What does “fashion” mean?
The word “fashion” means popular styles of clothing and appearance at a given time, or the industry built around them. In plain terms, current clothing trends and styles, or, more broadly, a particular way of doing something.
How do you pronounce “fashion”?
“Fashion” is pronounced FASHN (/ˈfæʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “fashion” in a sentence?
Here is “fashion” used in a sentence: “She works as a buyer in the fashion industry.”
What part of speech is “fashion”?
Depending on how it is used, “fashion” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fashion” come from?
The word “fashion” comes from Latin. From Old French façon, "shape, make, appearance," ultimately from Latin factio, "a making" — a doublet of "faction.".
Is “fashion” a common word?
“Fashion” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fashion” have?
“Fashion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: popular styles of clothing and appearance at a given time, or the industry built around them.
What is the difference between fashion and style?
Fashion is the popular clothing and looks of a particular moment — it changes constantly and is shared by many. Style is personal and lasting: your own way of dressing that expresses who you are. Fashion is what the industry offers everyone; style is how an individual wears it. You can follow fashion yet keep your own style.
What are the main types of fashion?
Fashion is often grouped into categories such as haute couture (custom, high-end pieces), ready-to-wear, fast fashion (cheap, quickly produced trends), and streetwear. It can also be split by purpose — casual, formal, sportswear — or by season. These types describe both how clothes are made and how they are worn.
Why is fashion important?
Fashion matters because clothing shapes first impressions, signals identity, and reflects culture and the times we live in. It is also a major global industry employing millions, from designers to retail workers. Beyond appearance, fashion lets people express creativity, belong to groups, and mark occasions, which is why it holds such social and economic weight.
Is fashion the same as clothing?
Not quite. Clothing is anything you wear, while fashion refers to the styles that are popular at a given time and the industry that creates them. All fashion is clothing, but not all clothing is fashionable. Fashion adds the idea of trend, taste, and timing to plain garments.
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