Cool MateFashionable vs Popular vs Those are in style
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fashionable
Popular
Those are in style
| Fashionable | Popular | Those are in style | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈfæʃnəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfæʃnəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɒpjʊlə//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑːpjələr// | 🇬🇧 //ðoʊz ɑːr ɪn staɪl//🇺🇸 //ðoʊz ɑr ɪn staɪl// |
| Meaning | Having a good sense of style or being popular in clothes. | Well-liked by many people | These are popular right now. |
| Example | She always wears the most fashionable clothes. | This song is really popular right now. | Those are in style this season, especially the vibrant colors. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, look, become, extremely, highly, very, among, be, look, become, extremely, highly, very, among | popular opinion, popular choice, popular culture | in fashion, on trend, popular items, fashion statement |
| Antonyms | unfashionable, outdated, old-fashioned | unpopular, unknown, disliked | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fashional' which is not a word., Using 'fashionable' to describe things other than clothing, like ideas or places., Misusing it as an adverb; 'fashionably' is the correct form for that. | Confused with 'famous' - 'popular' relates to people’s preference, while 'famous' is about being known., Using 'popular' with negative contexts - it’s generally positive., Misplacing 'popular' in sentences - it should come before the noun it describes. | Confused with 'in fashion' - both are similar but may vary slightly in meaning., Omitting 'are' - it’s essential for proper structure., Using 'those' instead of 'these' in close proximity. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fashionable' to describe clothing or styles that are currently popular. It is suitable for casual and formal contexts, but may not be appropriate when discussing cultural or traditional attire. | Commonly used to describe trends, people, or things that many favor. Avoid using it for very niche or rare topics. | Used in casual conversations to describe fashion or trends. Avoid in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fashionable vs Popular vs Those are in style
What's the difference between Fashionable, Popular, and Those are in style?
Fashionable: Having a good sense of style or being popular in clothes. Popular: Well-liked by many people Those are in style: These are popular right now.
Which is more common: Fashionable, Popular, and Those are in style?
Popular is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Fashionable, Popular, and Those are in style?
Fashionable is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Fashionable: She always wears the most fashionable clothes. Popular: This song is really popular right now. Those are in style: Those are in style this season, especially the vibrant colors.
Can I use Fashionable, Popular, and Those are in style interchangeably?
Not always. Fashionable, Popular, and Those are in style are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.