style

 
Pronunciation: /stʌɪl/

noun

  • 1a particular procedure by which something is done; a manner or way: different styles of management
  • a way of painting, writing, composing, building, etc., characteristic of a particular period, place, person, or movement: the concerto is composed in a neoclassical style a striking feature of Swift’s style is his use of conjunctions
  • a way of using language: he never wrote in a journalistic style [mass noun]: students should pay attention to style and idiom
  • [usually with negative] (one's style) one’s usual way of behaving or approaching situations: backing out isn’t my style
  • an official or legal title: the partnership traded under the style of Storr and Mortimer
  • 2a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed: the pillars are no exception to the general style
  • a particular design of clothing: his shoes were in a style that he could wear anywhere
  • a way of arranging the hair: for a glamorous style, hair was brushed out after setting
  • 3 [mass noun] elegance and sophistication: a sophisticated nightspot with style and taste
  • 4 Botany (in a flower) a narrow, typically elongated extension of the ovary, bearing the stigma.
  • 5 Zoology (in an invertebrate) a small, slender pointed appendage; a stylet.

verb

[with object]
  • 1design or make in a particular form: the yacht is well proportioned and conservatively styled
  • arrange (hair) in a particular way: he styled her hair by twisting it up to give it body
  • 2 [with object and complement] designate with a particular name, description, or title: the official is styled principal and vice chancellor of the university

Phrases

in style (or in grand style)

in an impressive, grand, or luxurious way: the opera company’s soloists will help launch the appeal in style

Derivatives

styleless

adjective

stylelessness

noun

styler

noun

Origin:

Middle English (denoting a stylus, also a literary composition, an official title, or a characteristic manner of literary expression): from Old French stile, from Latin stilus. The verb dates (first in style (sense 2 of the verb)) from the early 16th century

Do not confuse stile with style. Stile means 'steps set into a fence or wall for people to climb over', whereas style means 'a way of doing something' ( different styles of management).