noun

fad

FAD/fæd/

Something popular for a short time.

The neglected spinners reveal how quickly the toy fad loses its appeal.

Two small, wordless vignettes show a passing craze: a young woman and a middle-aged man eagerly play with matching fidget spinners; later, the same spinners sit neglected in a shallow tray while the same people walk past without interest.

Etymology

Fad originally meant a hobby or pet project, then came to mean a briefly popular fashion or craze. Its origin is uncertain; both fiddle-faddle and French fadaise, “trifle, nonsense,” have been suggested.

In context

juicyresults1:04

a fad which rises out of nowhere and disappears just as quick and a slow but steady rising trend

Distinguishing a Trend from a Fad - #juicybits 107

More examples

That dance fad disappeared almost as quickly as it started.
She avoids diet fads and focuses on balanced meals.
Critics dismissed online shopping as a fad, but it lasted.

Forms

fad · fads

faddish adjective — Following fashions that quickly lose popularity.

Similar words

craze: Emphasizes intense, widespread enthusiasm rather than simply brief popularity.
trend: A general direction of change that may last longer.