English Reference
noun · verb

vogue

n. · v.
US /ˈvoʊɡ/ UK /vˈəʊɡ/ vogue UK spelling vogues

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.the style or fashion that is popular at a particular time.

    n.the prevailing fashion or style at a given time; often used to describe a trend that has gained widespread acceptance.

    Simple

    Short hair was the vogue in the 1920s.

    In context

    The current vogue for minimalist interior design has led to a significant increase in the sales of neutral-toned furniture and industrial lighting.

    Usage

    Often used with the definite article 'the' or in the phrase 'in vogue'.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Informal

    v.to perform the vogue style of dance.

    v.to perform the stylized movements associated with the vogue dance subculture.

    Simple

    The crowd cheered as the dancers began to vogue on stage.

    In context

    The music video featured several professional dancers who were hired specifically for their ability to vogue with precision and speed.

    Usage

    The verb is intransitive and does not take a direct object.


First attested in 1565. Borrowed from Middle French vogue (“wave, course of success”), from Old French vogue, from voguer (“to row, sway, set sail”), from Old Saxon wogōn (“to sway, rock”), var. of wagōn (“to float, fluctuate”), from Proto-Germanic wagōną (“to sway, fluctuate”) and Proto-Germanic wēgaz (“water in motion”), from Proto-Germanic weganą (“to move, carry, weigh”), from Proto-Indo-European weǵʰ- (“to move, go, transport”) (compare way). Akin to Old Saxon wegan (“to move”), Old High German wegan (“to move”), Old English wegan (“to move, carry, weigh”), Old Norse vaga (“to sway, fluctuate”), Old English wagian (“to sway, totter”), German Woge (“wave”), Swedish våg (“wave”). More at wag. The dance derives its name from Vogue magazine.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *weǵʰ-
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated