What is fashion? Pronunciation and usage in English

fashion means . Learn how to pronounce and use fashion through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of fashion

fashionnoun

/ˈfaʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of fashion

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fashion" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few variations:

The Most Common & Generally Accepted Pronunciation:

  • FA-shun (IPA: /fəˈʃən/)

    • FA - Like the first part of "father" – a short, crisp "ah" sound.
    • shun - Like the word "sun" but with an "sh" sound.

Slight Variations (You'll Hear These Too):

  • FASH-un (IPA: /fæʃən/) - This is a very common variation, especially in some American accents. The "a" is a bit longer and more emphasized.

  • Fash-un (IPA: /fɑʃən/) - Some speakers with a more relaxed pronunciation might smooth out the "sh" and make it sound more like "ahshun."

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("FA").
  • "sh" sound: Make sure you're producing a clear "sh" sound, not a "s" sound.
  • Flow: It should flow smoothly from "fa" to "shun" or "fash" to "un."

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from (approximately)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) Accents can vary.

Usage and examples with the word fashion in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fashion" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Fashion (as in clothing styles - the most common meaning)

  • Definition: This is the most common understanding of "fashion." It refers to the prevailing styles of clothing, accessories, and footwear at a particular time. It’s what's currently popular and trendy.

  • How to use it:

    • Describing clothes: "She’s wearing the latest fashion." “That’s a very fashion-able dress.” “He’s into vintage fashion.”
    • Talking about trends: “This season’s fashion is all about bright colors.” “Fashion changes quickly.” “The fashion industry is driven by trends.”
    • Referring to designers/brands: “He’s a famous fashion designer.” “That’s a designer fashion item.”
    • Describing a look: “I’m really loving this fashion – it’s so chic.”

2. Fashion (as in a particular way of doing things - a trend or custom)

  • Definition: This refers to a particular way of behaving, thinking, or doing things, and it’s often shared within a group. It’s about a prevailing attitude or approach.

  • How to use it:

    • Describing a behavior: “There's a fashion for using smartphones for everything.” “The fashion is to work from home now.” "The fashion among young people is to be environmentally conscious."
    • Referring to a custom or norm: “It was fashionable to wear hats in the 19th century.” “There's a fashion for being polite.”
    • Highlighting a trend in thought/attitude: "The fashion of the time was to be skeptical of authority."

3. Fashion (as a verb - to follow a trend)

  • Definition: To keep up with the latest trends; to dress in styles that are currently popular.

  • How to use it:

    • “I don’t really fashion my clothes; I just buy what looks good on me.”
    • “She fashions her lifestyle around her values.” (Meaning she builds her life in a way that reflects her beliefs.)

4. Fashion (as a noun - a performance or display)

  • Definition: This is a less common usage. It refers to a theatrical or artistic performance, especially one intended to impress.

  • How to use it: “The party was a lavish fashion.” (Meaning a spectacular, showy event).

Key Differences and How to Tell Which Meaning is Intended:

  • Context is crucial. The surrounding words and the overall situation will usually make it clear which meaning of "fashion" is being used.
  • Clothing vs. Behavior: If you’re talking about clothes, it’s almost certainly the first meaning. If you’re talking about a habit, attitude, or custom, it's the second meaning.

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences:

  • Clothing: “He bought a new fashion coat.” (A coat that’s a current style.)
  • Behavior: “It’s fashionable to be outspoken about your opinions.” (The fashion is to be outspoken - a trend in how people express themselves.)

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What specifically are you trying to use the word "fashion" in? (e.g., Are you writing a description of an outfit? Are you discussing social trends?)

Synonyms for the word fashion

Idioms of the word fashion

after a fashion
to some extent, but not very well
  • I can play the piano, after a fashion.
  • ‘Do you speak French?’ ‘After a fashion.’
  • So they became friends, after a fashion.
after the fashion of somebody/something
(formal)in the style of somebody/something
  • The new library is very much after the fashion of Nash.
  • She spoke in French after the fashion of the court.
in (a)… fashion
(formal)in a particular way
  • How could they behave in such a fashion?
  • I strive to get my work done in a timely fashion.
  • The troops embarked in an orderly fashion.
  • Each chapter is structured in a similar fashion.
  • She was proved right, in dramatic fashion, when the whole department resigned.
like it’s going out of fashion
(informal)used to emphasize that somebody is doing something or using something a lot
  • She's been spending money like it's going out of fashion.

Comment ()