Etymology 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.
1
Fashionable; in the current style or fashion.
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.2023 June 16, Megan Uy, “25 Absolutely Gorgeous Crochet Clothing Pieces You Won’t Stop Wearing This Summer”, in Cosmopolitan:
Our pudding a la mode has a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
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.1959 November 23, Martin Bunn, “Gus Pulls a Switch”, in Popular Science:
1 more example
(Jon) Irma, I ordered pie a la mode. Where's the scoop of ice cream?1986 June 26, Jim Davis, Garfield:
3
Cooking, Food, Lifestyle Of beef: larded and stewed with vegetables.
Etymology 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.