a la mode

• à la mode, alamode, ala mode

Unadapted borrowing from French à la mode (“in fashion”). The US sense was coined by polyglot restaurant owner John Gieriet in Minnesota in the 1800s though later attributed to Berry Hall and Charles Watson Townsend.

• IPA^(key): /ˌɑləˈməʊd/, /ˌæləˈməʊd/

a la mode

1. Fashionable; in the current style or fashion.

   Synonyms: cool, trendy, classy

   • 2023 June 16, Megan Uy, “25 Absolutely Gorgeous Crochet Clothing Pieces You Won’t Stop Wearing This Summer”, in Cosmopolitan‎:

     Rosettes are the hottest trend right now, and it's looking so damn good on this à la mode crochet bikini set. When you're not beach or poolside, you could even match the triangle top with a sleek maxi or high-waisted bottoms.

2. (US) Served with ice cream.

   Our pie a la mode has a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

   • November 1959, "Martin Bunn", Popular Science, Gus Pulls a Switch:

     With a bowl of beef stew, apple pie a la mode, and two cups of coffee under his belt, Gus Wilson walked leisurely back to the Model Garage.

3. Of beef: larded and stewed with vegetables.

a la mode

1. In a particular style or fashion.

a la mode

1. Alternative spelling of à la mode