2025-01-02 Word of the Day NYT 1D1W - faddish

Faddish \ ˈfa-dish \ adjective

Meaning Analysis
Faddish
(adj.) Trendy; fashionable for a short time
Explanation: Refers to something or someone that becomes very popular for a brief period, often without lasting influence.

Synonyms:
Trendy
Fashionable
Chic

Antonyms:
Timeless
Classic
Enduring

Example Sentences

1. The faddish diet became popular overnight but was quickly replaced by another trend.
2. She prefers classic designs over faddish styles that go out of fashion in a season.
3. The store specializes in faddish accessories targeted at young customers.

Root Analysis
Root:

• Fad: Refers to a short-lived trend or craze.

Derived words:

• Fad (n. Short-lived trend)
• Faddishly (adv. In a faddish manner)

Affix Analysis
Suffix:

• -ish: Forms adjectives indicating characteristics or tendencies.

Other examples:

• Childish
• Foolish
• Stylish

Development History and Cultural Background
“Faddish” comes from the noun fad (a short-lived craze) combined with the adjective suffix -ish. The word emerged in the 20th century to describe phenomena that rise and fall quickly, such as fashion trends, diets, or viral social media challenges. With globalization, faddish products spread rapidly through the internet but often fade just as quickly.

Word Forms

• Adjective: Faddish
• Adverb: Faddishly
• Noun: Faddishness

Common Collocations:

• Faddish trend
• Faddish design
• Faddish product

Memory Aid

1. Think of "fad" as a fleeting trend (e.g., a fashion brand that becomes irrelevant after one season).
2. Recall the suffix -ish, which adds the sense of "characterized by," as in childish (child-like) or faddish (trend-like).

Short Story
Jenny loved keeping up with trends. One day, she bought a faddish jacket that everyone at school was wearing. But after a month, the style changed, and the jacket was no longer in fashion. "I’ll go for timeless pieces next time," she thought.