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Internet Slang

Fad Meaning, Origin and Examples

Nearly everyone you meet could give you some kind of example of a fad. However, if you found yourself here because you are wondering what does this term mean exactly, then you have come to the right place. Here you will find the meaning, but in addition, you will also find some information regarding the origin of this slang term and some other meanings.

You will also find some conversation examples showing how to properly use this term in context so you can get a better understanding of its definition. Finally, you will see some synonymous words or phrases that you can use in place of this term to relay the same or similar message.

Fad Meaning and Origin

  • A fad is a short-lived trend or craze that quickly gains popularity but fades away just as quickly.
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Fad Meaning – Created by 7ESL

What Does Fad Mean?

This term is said to be defined as something that becomes extremely popular within a short period of time and then goes out of style or stops being used in almost the same short period of time.

Origin of Fad

The term that is used in this manner of speaking to mean some sort of “fashion craze” or just a “craze” can be dated back to 1881.

Other Meanings

There are many other alternative meanings listed for this term as an acronym. There are too many options to list them all here, but a few examples of what this term can represent as an acronym are “from a distance,” “Friday afternoon drinks,” “Facebook addiction disorder,” “find a dress,” and “fu**-a-duck.”

Conversation Examples with Fad

A text message exchange between two friends.

  • Friend 1: I am so glad that we left shoulder pads in the 80s.
  • Friend 2: I know! What the hell were we thinking back then?
  • Friend 1: I don’t know. My guess is we weren’t thinking at all.

An online conversation between two Twitter users.

  • User 1: OMGosh! You will never guess what I found in my closet today!
  • User 2: Some skeletons?
  • User 1: LOL! No! Everyone has them! I found my old Furby collection!
  • User 2: Who cares? They were a fad in the 90s and I didn’t even understand them then.

Synonyms for Fad

There are several synonyms that you can use to replace this slang term in a sentence to convey the same meaning. Some of the alternative words you could use include:

  • trend
  • craze
  • vogue
B1 Knowledge Check Β· 5 questions

Fad Meaning, Origin and Examples β€” Practice Quiz

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: What does "fad" mean?

Question 1 options
A fad is something that becomes extremely popular within a short period of time and then goes out of style just as quickly. It is a short-lived trend or craze.
Q2

Question 2: The term "fad," meaning a fashion craze, dates back to the 1700s.

Question 2 options
This is false. According to the article, the term "fad" used to mean a "fashion craze" or just a "craze" can be dated back to 1881, not the 1700s.
Q3

Question 3: Which sentence uses "fad" correctly?

Question 3 options
"Fidget spinners were a huge fad a few years ago β€” everyone had one, but now nobody uses them" correctly uses "fad" to describe something that was wildly popular for a short time and then disappeared, matching the word's meaning.
Q4

Question 4: Match each word or phrase to its correct meaning.

Question 4 options
Fad
Trend
Vogue
Craze
A short-lived craze that fades quickly
The prevailing fashion or style at a given time
An intense but brief enthusiasm for something
A general direction of change or development

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

"Fad" means a short-lived craze. "Trend" means a general direction of change. "Vogue" means what is currently fashionable. "Craze" means an intense but short enthusiasm for something.
Q5

Question 5: Which word is the closest synonym for "fad"?

Question 5 options
"Craze" is listed in the article as a synonym for "fad," both referring to something that is intensely popular for a short time. "Heritage" refers to traditions, "milestone" refers to an important achievement, and "custom" refers to a long-standing practice β€” none of these convey the short-lived popularity of a fad.

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