trendsetter
TREND-set-er
/ˈtrɛndˌsɛt.ər/
A person who leads, creates, or popularizes new fashions, ideas, or visual styles before others.
Emphasizes pioneering leadership rather than passive following.
The story behind the word. Combines 'trend' (from Middle English 'trenden', meaning to turn, bend, or curve) with 'setter'. Coined in the mid-20th century, it described individuals whose personal choices bent the direction of fashion or music.
Word relationships
- tastemaker: 'Tastemaker' focuses on institutional authority in dictating style, while 'trendsetter' highlights popular adoption.
- pioneer: 'Pioneer' usually applies to groundbreaking technological or geographical discovery, whereas 'trendsetter' applies to fashion and popular cultural trends.
- follower: Someone who adopts fashions or trends only after others have popularized them.
Commonly confused with
- trendwatcher: A 'trendwatcher' observes and reports on emerging trends, whereas a 'trendsetter' creates them.
Word family
- trendsetting (adjective): Initiating or popularizing new trends.
Collocations
- cultural trendsetter
- established trendsetter
- act as a trendsetter
- acknowledged trendsetter
Idioms & expressions
- ahead of the curve
- blazing a trail
Example sentences
- "Streetwear designers look to youth culture trendsetters to forecast next season's styles." Fashion industry
- "As a digital trendsetter, every audio track she uses in her short videos becomes popular nationwide." Digital culture
Memory hook
A TRENDSETTER SETS the TREND for everyone else to follow. Setting the style everyone follows.
When not to use
Do not use for people who simply follow popular trends created by others.
Fun facts
- Sociologists divide innovation adoption into five groups: Innovators, Early Adopters (trendsetters), Early Majority, Late Majority, and Laggards.
Explore more words
innovate, trailblazer, pioneer, proactive, innovation, unconventional
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