# style

/ˈstaɪɫ/ (US) · /stˈaɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/style
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. manner of doing something

noun · CEFR A2

the particular way that someone does something or that something happens.

For teachers: a distinctive manner of expression, action, or performance.

- Everyone has their own style of learning new information.
- The manager's leadership style focuses on collaboration rather than strict top-down commands.

### 2. fashion and appearance

noun · CEFR A1

a high quality of design or a fashionable way of dressing.

For teachers: elegance or smartness in appearance; adherence to current fashion trends.

- She always dresses with great style, even when she is just going to the shop.
- The boutique is famous for its timeless style, attracting customers who prefer classic silhouettes over fleeting trends.

### 3. artistic or design category

noun · CEFR B1

a specific design or look used in art, architecture, or music.

For teachers: a particular type or category of design, especially one characteristic of a specific period or group.

- The house was built in a modern style with lots of glass and steel.
- The cathedral exhibits a classic Gothic style, featuring pointed arches and elaborate stone carvings.

### 4. botany

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the middle part of the female part of a flower.

For teachers: the narrow part of the carpel in a flower that connects the ovary and the stigma.

- The pollen must travel down the style to reach the seeds.
- In many angiosperms, the length of the style is a critical factor in determining which pollinators can successfully fertilise the plant.

### 5. to arrange or design

verb · CEFR B1

to shape or arrange something, like hair or clothes, to look a certain way.

For teachers: to design, fashion, or arrange something in a particular aesthetic form.

- He spent twenty minutes styling his hair before the party.
- The interior designer was hired to style the apartment for the upcoming magazine photoshoot.

### 6. to give a title

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone a specific name or title.

For teachers: to designate or call by a particular name, title, or epithet.

- The prince was styled as the Duke of Cornwall.
- Though he had no formal medical training, he styled himself a doctor and opened a small clinic in the village.

### 7. to show off

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

to act in a way that shows you have a lot of style or confidence.

For teachers: to behave or perform in a manner intended to exhibit one's stylishness or superior skill.

- He was styling on the basketball court after making three difficult shots.
- The young skater was styling in front of the crowd, performing tricks that were as much about flair as they were about technical difficulty.

## Examples

- I really like the style of your new jacket.
- The architect chose a modern style for the new library to match the surrounding glass buildings.
- While the author's early works followed a traditional narrative style, her later novels experimented with a stream-of-consciousness technique that challenged contemporary readers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.