fashion

plural fashions · alternative obsolete fascion

1. countableA current (constantly changing) trend, favored for frivolous rather than practical, logical, or intellectual reasons.

   1 more example

   The huge square box, parquet-floored and high-ceilinged, had been arranged to display a suite of bedroom furniture designed and made in the halcyon days of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, when modish taste was just due to go clean out of fashion for the best part of the next hundred years.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

2. uncountablePopular trends, especially in clothing; the industry that designs clothing and sometimes other related items.

   Check out the latest in fashion.

   3 more examples

   He had always been interested in fashion, so he decided to take a sewing class.

   the innocent diversions in fashion

   1693, [John Locke], “§208”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC

   As now existing, fashion is a form of social regulation analogous to constitutional government as a form of political regulation: displaying, as it does, a compromise between governmental coercion and individual freedom.

   1900 [1879], Herbert Spencer, Principles of Sociology, volume II, part IV: Ceremonial Institutions, page 215

   Synonyms: thing

3. countableA style or manner in which something is done.

   the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of an altar, etc.

   3 more examples

   Ophelia: My lord, he hath importuned me with love in honourable fashion. Lord Polonius: Ay, fashion you may call it; go to, go to.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]

   When it had advanced from the wood, it hopped much after the fashion of a kangaroo, using its hind feet and tail to propel it, and when it stood erect, it sat upon its tail.

   1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter V, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC

   It shell-shocked the home crowd, who quickly demanded a response, which came midway through the half and in emphatic fashion.

   2011 October 1, Phil Dawkes, “Sunderland 2 - 2 West Brom”, in BBC Sport

4. countableuncountableThe make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of structure; pattern, model; workmanship; execution.

   I do not like the fashion of your garments.

   c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi]

   2 more examples

   The fashion of his countenance was altered.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Luke 9:29

   My word! Well, you should have my colorful fashions to thank.

   2020 December 25, Chris Van Dusen, “Diamond of the First Water”, in Bridgerton, season 1, episode 1, spoken by Lady Portia Featherington

5. countabledateduncountablePolite, fashionable, or genteel life; social position; good breeding.

   men of fashion

present singular third person fashions · participle present fashioning · participle past fashioned · past fashioned · alternative obsolete fascion

1. To make, build or construct, especially in a crude or improvised way.

   […] a device fashioned by arguments against that kind of prey.

   2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 235b

   1 more example

   I have three gourds which I fill with water and take back to my cave against the long nights. I have fashioned a spear and a bow and arrow, that I may conserve my ammunition, which is running low.

   1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter IX, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC

2. datedTo make in a standard manner; to work.

   Fashioned plate sells for more than its weight.

   1691, [John Locke], Some Considerations of the Consequences of the Lowering of Interest, and Raising the Value of Money. […], London: […] Awnsham and John Churchill, […], published 1692, →OCLC

3. datedTo fit, adapt, or accommodate to.

   Laws ought to be fashioned unto the manners and conditions of the people.

   1596 (date written; published 1633), Edmund Spenser, A Vewe of the Present State of Irelande […], Dublin: […] Societie of Stationers, […], →OCLC; republished as A View of the State of Ireland […] (Ancient Irish Histories), Dublin: […] Society of Stationers, […] Hibernia Press, […] [b]y John Morrison, 1809, →OCLC

4. obsoleteTo forge or counterfeit.

   Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit; All with me's meet that I can fashion feet.

   c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]