Meaning & use
on-trend
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
fashionable and matching what is popular at the present time
Grammar: Describes a thing or style, not a person's action: The colors are on-trend. It is not usually used before a noun, though 'on-trend colors' does occur.
Patterns
- be on-trend
- stay on-trend
- an on-trend look
The restaurant's simple wooden tables and green plants are very on-trend.
She wore an on-trend jacket in soft pink, which matched the season's colors.
Their new ad campaign is on-trend and has been shared widely online.
adjectivenot comparable
following the latest ideas or methods in a particular activity or industry
Grammar: Often used in business or education to praise something that uses current methods: The school's teaching is on-trend.
Patterns
- be on-trend
- keep something on-trend
- on-trend thinking
The company's approach to remote work is on-trend with what employees now expect.
Their teaching methods are on-trend and focus on student discussion.
Common combinations
- stay on-trend
- Small shops must stay on-trend to attract younger customers.
- on-trend colors
- The designer chose on-trend colors for the spring collection.
- on-trend look
- He achieved an on-trend look with simple, well-cut clothes.
- perfectly on-trend
- Her short haircut was perfectly on-trend last year.
- on-trend with something
- The menu is on-trend with the current interest in plant-based food.
Synonyms and how they differ
- fashionable
- More general and can describe people, places or ideas; 'on-trend' is more specific to styles and current popularity.
- stylish
- Focuses on good appearance rather than being up to date; something can be stylish but not on-trend.
- trendy
- Informal and sometimes disapproving, suggesting someone follows fashions too eagerly; 'on-trend' is usually neutral or positive.
- current
- Means happening or existing now, not necessarily fashionable; 'on-trend' always suggests popularity.
Opposites
Word family
- trend noun
- A general change or development in how people behave or what they like.
- trendy adjective
- Following the latest fashions, often in an informal or slightly critical way.
- trendsetter noun
- A person or company that starts a new fashion or style.
Commonly confused: on-trend or on trend?
on-trend vs on trend
Written as two words, it has the same meaning but is slightly more formal and common in business writing. 'On-trend' with a hyphen is the usual form before a noun.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'on-trend' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'On-trend' means fashionable and popular now, so it fits a café that attracts young people. The other options use it like 'on time' or 'on track', which are different expressions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “on-trend”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.