fetching

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fetching' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective to describe something or someone that is attractive, stylish, or charming. Example sentence: Her new dress was quite fetching and caught the attention of everyone at the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Scots should be wearing belted plaid, or the rather fetching skintight tartan trews sported by Mary's father, James V. The Scotsmen tell Mary she must marry.

The Guardian - Film

The women and girls were held in eight different camps for periods ranging from two days to three months, after being taken from their homes, while working on farms, fetching water or at school.

The Guardian

But the run-up to the return series, even though it has not even started yet, already promises to have a Nasser Hussain-era cadence to it, with reedy, schoolboy protestations of manifest improvement and bullish intent on the part of Australia giving way to the inevitable first-morning batting collapse and long, frustrating days in the field fetching balls for Alastair Cook double hundreds.

The Guardian - Sport

Texas gained more people than any other state, up by 4.3m to 25.1m, fetching it four more congressional seats in the House.

The Economist

And the buy-out group has been adamant that it will not raise its bid again to see off Mr Icahn.The dissidents grumble that long-term shareholders are being offered a discount, not a premium: in February 2012 Dell's shares were fetching $18-plus 18-plus

The Economist

This year a kilo of burley has been fetching only around $1 at auction, disregarding the official minimum of $1.76, which has swelled the ranks of Malawi's malcontents.The country still has a lot going for it.

The Economist

Home water filters are fine in an emergency, but not practical for the long term especially when fetching water may take hours of walking each day.

The Economist

They hope that fetching coffee and photocopying will bulk up their CVs and help secure a permanent job.

The Economist

Truffles are, nevertheless, successfully being unearthed in areas not traditionally associated with their growth.Some of Oregon's truffles, for example, are fetching $400 a pound (0.45kg) this season.

The Economist

In July 1996, pig meat was fetching record prices as the BSE crisis scared meat-eaters away from beef.

The Economist

The central bank is seeking to offset the boost in demand that Australia will enjoy from its commodity exports, which are fetching high prices on world markets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fetching" as an adjective, ensure it aligns with the context of attractiveness or appeal. For example, "a fetching hat" or "a fetching smile".

Common error

Avoid using "fetching" in overly formal or serious contexts where a more neutral or professional term would be appropriate. For example, instead of saying "the data fetching process", consider "the data retrieval process".

Linguistic Context

The word "fetching" primarily functions as a verb, specifically in its present participle form, indicating an ongoing action of retrieving something. It can also serve as an adjective, describing something as attractive or pleasing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable word in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fetching" is a versatile word that functions both as a verb (present participle) and an adjective. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely used. As an adjective, it describes something attractive or appealing, while as a verb, it indicates the act of retrieving. Predominantly found in news and media, its formality varies, leaning towards informal when describing attractiveness and neutral when used as a verb. For alternatives, consider "retrieving" for the verb form and "attractive" or "charming" for the adjective form. While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using "fetching" in highly formal settings where a more neutral term is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retrieving

Emphasizes the act of getting something back, often from a specific place.

acquiring

Focuses on gaining possession of something, often through effort or purchase.

obtaining

Highlights the process of coming to have something, often after some difficulty.

bringing

Stresses the act of carrying something to a particular place or person.

carrying

Focuses on the act of transporting something from one location to another.

attractive

Shifts the focus to visual appeal or charm.

appealing

Highlights the quality of being pleasing or interesting.

charming

Emphasizes the quality of being delightful or captivating.

alluring

Suggests a seductive or tempting quality.

winning

Highlights the ability to please or gain approval.

FAQs

How can I use "fetching" in a sentence?

"Fetching" can be used as a verb (present participle) to describe the action of going to get something or as an adjective to describe something attractive. Example: "She is fetching water from the well" or "That's a fetching dress!"

What can I say instead of "fetching" when referring to retrieving something?

When referring to retrieving something, you can use alternatives like "retrieving", "obtaining", or "acquiring" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "fetching" when describing someone's appearance?

If you're describing someone's appearance, consider using "attractive", "charming", or "appealing" as alternatives to "fetching".

Is "fetching" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fetching" is a valid word, it might be perceived as informal or old-fashioned in certain contexts, especially when used to describe something attractive. In formal writing, opt for more neutral terms like "attractive" or "appealing".