What is style? Pronunciation and usage in English

style means . Learn how to pronounce and use style through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of style

stylenoun

/stʌɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of style

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "style" in English. There are two main ways it's pronounced, and the one you'll hear most often depends on where you are:

1. American English (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈstaɪl/ (stress on the first syllable)
  • Sounds: "STAYL" – like the word "stay" but with a slightly shorter "a" sound.
  • Breakdown:
    • St – as in "stop"
    • ay – as in "say"
    • l – as in "love"

2. British English (Received Pronunciation - RP):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈstaɪl/ (stress on the first syllable) - This is identical to the American pronunciation.
  • It is worth noting that in some regional accents in the UK, you might hear a slightly different pronunciation.

Tips to help you:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word style in English

Let's break down how to use the word "style" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Style as a Manner of Expression (Most Common)

  • Definition: This is probably the most frequent way "style" is used. It refers to how something is done – the particular way someone writes, speaks, dresses, or behaves. It's about the individual characteristics or preferences.

  • Examples:

    • Writing Style: "He has a very descriptive writing style." (Meaning: His writing is characterized by detailed imagery and rich language.)
    • Speaking Style: "Her speaking style is witty and sarcastic." (Meaning: She uses humor and irony in her conversations.)
    • Fashion Style: "She has a bohemian style." (Meaning: Her clothing choices are relaxed, often incorporating vintage or ethnic elements.)
    • Musical Style: "The band's style is a blend of rock and blues.” (Meaning: Their music combines elements of both genres.)
    • Artistic Style: “Van Gogh’s paintings are known for their expressive, impasto style.” (Meaning: His technique involved thick layers of paint applied with a visible brushstroke.)
    • Personal Style: "He has a very casual style – jeans and a t-shirt are his go-to.” (Meaning: He prefers comfortable, low-key clothing.)

2. Style as a Characteristic or Quality

  • Definition: In this sense, "style" refers to a particular characteristic or quality that defines something. Think of it as a defining feature.

  • Examples:

    • "The building has a Victorian style." (Meaning: The building’s architecture reflects the features of the Victorian era.)
    • "This restaurant has a rustic style.” (Meaning: The decor and atmosphere evoke a feeling of country simplicity.)
    • “The car has a sporty style.” (Meaning: It looks athletic and has features associated with sports cars.)

3. Style as a Form or Type

  • Definition: "Style" can refer to a specific form or type, especially in art or design.

  • Examples:

    • "He painted in the Impressionist style." (Meaning: He painted in the way that is characteristic of Impressionist artists.)
    • "The furniture is in a minimalist style." (Meaning: It's designed with simplicity and lack of ornamentation.)
    • "There are many different writing styles, such as formal and informal."

4. Style as a Way of Doing Things (Formal/General)

  • Definition: This is a more general, slightly formal way to say "approach" or "method."

  • Example: “The company operates with a customer-focused style.” (Meaning: They have a business approach that prioritizes the needs of their customers.)

Key Phrases and Related Words:

  • A particular style: (e.g., “a modern style of architecture”)
  • In a certain style: (e.g., “He writes in a humorous style.”)
  • Develop a style: (e.g., "She is developing her own writing style.")
  • Change your style: (e.g., "He is trying to change his style of dress.")
  • Complementary styles: (e.g., "The colors in the room create a complementary style.")

Tips for Using "Style" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "style" depends heavily on the context.
  • Consider the noun it’s modifying: Pay attention to what “style” is describing (writing, fashion, art, etc.).
  • Don't overuse it: It’s a powerful word, so use it judiciously.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say that you're wondering about using "style" in?
  • Is there a specific context you're thinking of (e.g., writing a review, describing a piece of art, talking about fashion)?

Synonyms for the word style

Idioms of the word style

cramp somebody’s style
(informal)to stop somebody from behaving in the way they want to
  • She didn’t want me to go with her to the party in case I cramped her style.
in (great, grand, etc.) style
in an impressive way
  • She always celebrates her birthday in style.
  • He won the championship in great style.

Practice with vocabulary style

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Her concise and structured approach is a hallmark of her professional writing _________________.
  2. The company's new office building features an open-plan _________________ designed to foster collaboration.
  3. The marketing team decided to adopt a more aggressive _________________ for their upcoming product launch.
  4. He's known for his distinctive personal _________________, always combining classic pieces with modern accessories.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. Which word best describes a particular way of doing, designing, or creating something? a) Method b) Style c) Approach d) Pattern

  2. When discussing the unique characteristics of a brand's visual identity, which term is most appropriate? a) Tone b) Fashion c) Style d) Image

  3. The professor's academic writing often features complex sentence structures and sophisticated vocabulary. This refers to his: a) Manner b) Style c) Technique d) Flair

  4. Before presenting the findings, the research team agreed on a specific _________________ for analyzing the data to ensure consistency. a) Trend b) Method c) Appearance d) Mode

  5. Which words describe a current popular preference or a general development in a particular field, often related to aesthetics or behavior? a) Fashion b) Trend c) Design d) Style

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The architect designed the new public library in a very modern way. (Rewrite using a form of "style") ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. style
  2. design
  3. approach
  4. style

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Style, a) Method, c) Approach
  2. c) Style, d) Image
  3. b) Style
  4. b) Method
  5. a) Fashion, b) Trend

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The architect designed the new public library in a very modern way. The new public library was designed by the architect in a modern architectural style. OR The architect adopted a modern style for the new public library's design.
  2. The company aims for its customer service to be both efficient and friendly. The company aims for an efficient and friendly style of customer service.
  3. His unique way of writing made his essays stand out from the rest. His unique manner of writing made his essays stand out from the rest.

Comment ()