fas|ci|nat|ing /fæ s I ne I t I ŋ/ ADJ If you describe something as fascinating , you find it very interesting and attractive, and your thoughts tend to concentrate on it. □ Madagascar is the most fascinating place I have ever been to. □ Her perceptions and intuitions about human nature were fascinating.
fas|ci|na|tion /fæ s I ne I ʃ ə n/ (fascinations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fascination is the state of being greatly interested in or delighted by something. □ [+ with/of/for ] I've had a lifelong fascination with the sea and with small boats.
2 N‑COUNT A fascination is something that fascinates people. □ …a series focusing on the fascinations of the British Museum.
fas|ci|nat|or /fæ s I ne I tə r / (fascinators ) N‑COUNT A fascinator is a type of lightweight hat worn by women on formal occasions.
fas|cism /fæ ʃ I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Fascism is a set of right-wing political beliefs that includes strong control of society and the economy by the state, a powerful role for the armed forces, and the stopping of political opposition.
fas|cist /fæ ʃ I st/ (fascists )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use fascist to describe organizations, ideas, or systems which follow the principles of fascism. □ …the threatening nature of fascist ideology. ● N‑COUNT A fascist is someone who has fascist views.
2 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a fascist , you are expressing disapproval of the fact that they have extreme views on something, and do not tolerate alternative views. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …health fascists who would meddle in their lives and regulate their calorie intake.
fash|ion ◆◆◇ /fæ ʃ ə n/ (fashions , fashioning , fashioned )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Fashion is the area of activity that involves styles of clothing and appearance. □ There are 20 full-colour pages of fashion for men. □ The fashion world does not mind what the real world thinks.
2 N‑COUNT A fashion is a style of clothing or a way of behaving that is popular at a particular time. □ [+ for ] Queen Mary started the fashion for blue and white china in England. □ [+ in ] He stayed at the top through all changes and fashions in pop music.
3 N‑SING If you do something in a particular fashion or after a particular fashion , you do it in that way. □ There is another drug called DHE that works in a similar fashion. □ It is happening in this fashion because of the obstinacy of one woman.
4 → see also parrot-fashion
5 VERB If you fashion an object or a work of art, you make it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Stone Age settlers fashioned necklaces from sheep's teeth.
6 → see also old-fashioned
7 PHRASE If you say that something was done after a fashion , you mean that it was done, but not very well. □ She was educated–after a fashion–at home. □ He knew the way, after a fashion.
8 PHRASE If something is in fashion , it is popular and approved of at a particular time. If it is out of fashion , it is not popular or approved of. □ That sort of house is back in fashion. □ Jeans go in and out of fashion, but I always love them.
fash|ion|able /fæ ʃənəb ə l/ ADJ Something or someone that is fashionable is popular or approved of at a particular time. □ It became fashionable to eat certain kinds of fish. □ Chelsea Harbour is renowned for its fashionable restaurants. ● fash|ion|ably ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ …women who are perfectly made up and fashionably dressed.
fa sh|ion vic|tim (fashion victims ) N‑COUNT A fashion victim is someone who thinks that being fashionable is more important than looking nice, and as a result often wears very fashionable clothes that do not suit them or that make them look silly. [DISAPPROVAL ]
fast ◆◆◇ /fɑː st, fæ st/ (faster , fastest , fasts , fasting , fasted )
1 ADJ Fast means happening, moving, or doing something at great speed. You also use fast in questions or statements about speed. □ …fast cars with flashing lights and sirens. □ Brindley was known as a very, very fast driver. □ The party aims to attract votes from the business and professional communities, which want a faster pace of political reform. □ The only question is how fast the process will be. ● ADV [ADV with v] Fast is also an adverb. □ They work terrifically fast. □ It would be nice to go faster and break the world record. □ Barnes also knows that he is fast running out of time. □ How fast were you driving? □ How fast would the disease develop?
2 ADV [ADV after v] You use fast to say that something happens without any delay. □ When you've got a crisis like this you need professional help–fast! □ We'd appreciate your leaving as fast as possible. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Fast is also an adjective. □ That would be an astonishingly fast action on the part of the Congress.
3 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If a watch or clock is fast , it is showing a time that is later than the real time. □ That clock's an hour fast.
4 ADV [ADV after v] If you hold something fast , you hold it tightly and firmly. If something is stuck fast , it is stuck very firmly and cannot move. □ She climbed the staircase cautiously, holding fast to the rail. □ The tanker is stuck fast on the rocks.
5 ADV [ADV after v] If you hold fast to a principle or idea, or if you stand fast , you do not change your mind about it, even though people are trying to persuade you to. □ We can only try to hold fast to the age-old values of honesty, decency and concern for others. □ He told supporters to stand fast over the next few vital days.