à la mode

adjective

ˌä-lə-ˈmōd 

ˌa-lə-

variants or less commonly a la mode

1

: fashionable, stylish

2

: topped with ice cream

Synonyms

• au courant
• chic
• cool [slang]
• exclusive
• fashionable
• fresh [slang]
• happening
• hip
• in
• modish
• sharp
• smart
• snappy
• stylish
• supercool
• swell
• swish
• trendy
• voguish

Examples of à la mode in a Sentence

apple pie à la mode

a political movement that was once à la mode

Recent Examples on the Web

Much like you would with a slice of cake, try your doughnut a la mode! —Gerry Frank | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2020

Dessert is a choice of cherry doughnut bread a la mode or chocolate lover’s cheesecake. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 9 Feb. 2023

Kevin’s former life as a pastry chef in Europe had left him with a love of delicately milky desserts and puzzlement as to why Americans resort, instead, to a la mode. —Lauren Joseph, WSJ, 6 Jan. 2023

Serve it a la mode for an even richer, sweeter treat. —Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2022

This sweet fruit tart is delicious a la mode and perfect for summer. —Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022

Maine’s sweet plump berries are the star of this quintessential summer treat, which is exceptional on its own or enjoyed a la mode. —Megan Murphy, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2021

Thanks to the farmhouse boom, wooden features are a la mode. —Washington Post, 9 June 2021

For dessert, customers can choose pumpkin cheesecake or pecan pie a la mode. —Audrey Eads, Dallas News, 12 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

French, according to the fashion

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

à la mode

adjective

variants also a la mode

ˌal-ə-ˈmōd 

ˌäl-

1

: stylish, fashionable

2

: topped with ice cream

pie à la mode

Etymology

from French à la mode, literally "according to the fashion"