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¹style

noun \ˈstī(-ə)l\

: a particular way in which something is done, created, or performed

: a particular form or design of something

: a way of behaving or of doing things

Full Definition of STYLE

: designation, title

a : a distinctive manner of expression (as in writing or speech) <writes with more attention to style than to content> <the flowery style of 18th century prose>

b : a distinctive manner or custom of behaving or conducting oneself <the formal style of the court> <his style is abrasive>; also : a particular mode of living <in high style>

c : a particular manner or technique by which something is done, created, or performed <a unique style of horseback riding> <the classical style of dance>

a : stylus

b : gnomon 1b

c : the filiform usually elongated part of the pistil bearing a stigma at its apex — see flower illustration

d : a slender elongated process (as a bristle) on an animal

: a distinctive quality, form, or type of something <a new dress style> <the Greek style of architecture>

a : the state of being popular : fashion <clothes that are always in style>

b : fashionable elegance

c : beauty, grace, or ease of manner or technique <an awkward moment she handled with style>

: a convention with respect to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and typographic arrangement and display followed in writing or printing

— style·less \ˈstī(-ə)l-ləs\ adjective

— style·less·ness noun

See style defined for English-language learners

See style defined for kids

Origin of STYLE

Middle English stile, style, from Latin stilus spike, stem, stylus, style of writing; perhaps akin to Latin instigare to goad — more at stick

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to STYLE

Synonyms: fashion, locution, manner, mode, phraseology, tone, vein

Synonym Discussion of STYLE

fashion, style, mode, vogue, fad, rage, craze mean the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date. fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place <the current fashion>. style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste <a media baron used to traveling in style>. mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated <slim bodies are the mode at this resort>. vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion <short skirts are back in vogue>. fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion <last year's fad is over>. rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad <Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time> <crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted>.

²style

transitive verb

: to give (yourself) a name or title even if you do not really deserve it

: to give a particular shape to (someone's hair)

: to design (something) for a particular purpose

styledstyl·ing

Full Definition of STYLE

: to call or designate by an identifying term : name

a : to give a particular style to

b : to design, make, or arrange in accord with the prevailing mode

— styl·er noun

First Known Use of STYLE

circa 1580

Related to STYLE

Synonyms: baptize, call, christen, clepe [archaic], denominate, designate, dub, entitle, label, nominate, name, term, title

STYLELESS Defined for Kids

¹style

noun \ˈstīl\

Definition of STYLE for Kids

: a particular form or design of something <classical style of dance> <Dinner was served buffet style.>

: a way of speaking or writing

: an individual way of behaving or doing something <He changed his style of holding the bat and hit more balls.>

: a method, manner, or quality that is felt to be very respectable, fashionable, or proper : fashion <They dine in style.> <Dad's clothes are out of style.>

: an easy and graceful manner <She handled the situation with style.>

: the narrow middle part of the pistil of a flower