Style
/staɪl/noun
A distinctive manner of expression, design, or behavior.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin stylus, the pointed pen used for scratching messages into wax tablets, so “style” began as a tool for leaving a permanent mark.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stei-
“to prick, pierce, or stick”
Ancient Greek
Greek
stylos
“a pillar or post; later associated with a pointed stake”
Latin
Latin
stilus / stylus
“a pointed writing instrument for wax tablets”
Old French
Old French
stil
“manner of writing or expression; mode of conduct”
Middle English
English
style
“a manner of writing, speaking, or conduct”
Modern English
English
style
“a distinctive manner or fashion in expression, design, or behavior”