Level A2 (Upper Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with native audio by Marie Assel Cambier, a voice artist from France.
The French Word of the Day is à la mode, an expression meaning “fashionable” or “trendy.” I specifically picked à la mode because this English loanword comes with a fun surprise — it does not mean “with a scoop of ice cream” in French! Its usage is limited to the idea of being in style. Keep reading and it will all click with the audio examples.
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
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📘 À la mode meaning
À la mode is a French expression meaning “in fashion,” “fashionable,” or “trendy,” with the feminine noun la mode meaning “fashion” or “trend.” In American English, à la mode means “served with a scoop of ice cream,” but the expression never carries this meaning in French. So if you hear une tarte à la mode (pie à la mode) in France, people will think you’re talking about a “fashionable pie” — not a dessert with ice cream!
🍰🍨 How to order pie with ice cream in French
If you want “pie à la mode” (the American meaning), avoid à la mode in French. Say:
“Je voudrais une part de tarte avec une boule de glace.” (I would like a slice of pie with a scoop of ice cream.)
🎧 À la mode pronunciation
The pronunciation of à la mode is /a la mod/, which sounds like ah lah mode.
📝 À la mode examples & usages
La robe rose de Sylvie est très à la mode cette année.
Sylvie’s pink dress is very fashionable this year.
Les couleurs pastel sont à la mode au printemps.
Pastel colors are in style in the spring.
Cette coupe de cheveux est vraiment à la mode.
This haircut is really trendy.
Le yoga est toujours à la mode chez les jeunes.
Yoga is still fashionable for young people.
Glace (f.) is a fun word as its meaning and usages extend beyond just “ice cream.”
👉Explore: Glace — meaning, pronunciation and examples »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
- une tendance — trend, fashion
- branché(e) — trendy / hip
- en vogue — in vogue / very fashionable
- se démoder — to go out of style
- à la dernière mode — very fashionable / in the latest style
- à la française — French style
- un créateur/une créatrice de mode — fashion designer
- un (or une) mannequin de défilé — runway model
- la glace — ice cream
- une boule de glace — scoop of ice cream
📚 Related lessons on FrenchLearner!
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