# Styles

/ˈstaɪɫz/ (US) · /stˈaɪlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/styles
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. ways of doing things

noun · CEFR A2

the different ways that people dress, speak, or create things like art and buildings.

For teachers: distinctive manners or methods of expression in performance, fashion, or design. Countable in this sense.

- The magazine shows many different styles of clothing for the summer.
- The architect's portfolio demonstrates a mastery of various historical styles, ranging from neoclassical to brutalist influences.

### 2. hair or appearance

noun · CEFR A2

particular ways that hair is cut or shaped.

For teachers: specific designs or arrangements of hair or personal appearance.

- She looked at several hair styles before deciding on a short cut.
- The salon specializes in vintage styles from the 1920s, requiring specialized tools and techniques.

### 3. to design or shape

verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: to design, shape, or arrange in a particular mode. Third-person singular form.

- He styles his hair with gel every morning before work.
- The creative director personally styles every model before they walk onto the runway to ensure a cohesive aesthetic.

### 4. to call or name

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to give someone or something a specific title or name.

For teachers: to designate with a particular name or title. Often used in formal or legal contexts.

- The document styles him as the sole owner of the property.
- The protocol officer ensures that the guest styles the visiting dignitary correctly during the formal introduction.

## Examples

- She has a very modern style of painting.
- The architect combined several different styles to create a building that looks both classic and futuristic.
- While the author's early works followed a strictly realist style, her later novels experimented with fragmented timelines and multiple perspectives to challenge the reader's expectations.

---

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.