Mainstream vs. Trend — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Mainstream refers to ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people; a trend is a general direction in which something is developing or changing.
Difference Between Mainstream and Trend
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mainstream is the prevalent current thought that is widely accepted by the majority. It represents the standard and common viewpoint or practice at any given time. Trend, by contrast, is a pattern or a movement that indicates a temporary direction of change or development, often less established than mainstream.
The mainstream serves as a constant in society, often influencing and shaping public policy and societal norms. Trends, however, are more about momentum and can either become part of the mainstream or fade away. Trends might influence the mainstream, but they do not define it.
Mainstream content in media represents the dominant cultural and political opinions of the time and typically reaches the largest audience. A trend in media, however, is a theme or topic that gains popularity quickly and is discussed frequently, but may not have the lasting power of mainstream content.
In fashion, mainstream refers to styles and items that are widely accepted and sold in mass quantities. A trend in fashion is a look or product that has gained popularity quickly and is characterized by its potential to change the mainstream, though it is not yet established as the norm.
In technology, mainstream technologies are those that are commonly used and accepted by the general public, such as smartphones or laptops. A trend in technology could be the latest app or gadget that's gaining traction but hasn't yet achieved widespread acceptance in the mainstream market.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Widely accepted norms
Current or emerging pattern
Duration
Long-term and stable
Short-term and subject to change
Influence
Shapes societal standards
Reflects shifts in preferences
Acceptance
Broad and general
Can be niche or widespread
Evolution
Slow and less subject to change
Fast and dynamic
Compare with Definitions
Mainstream
Widely accepted art or culture
Mainstream movies tend to have bigger budgets.
Trend
A movement in social media popularity
Hashtag challenges are a major trend on TikTok.
Mainstream
Dominant trends or prevailing attitudes
Her views are very mainstream.
Trend
A current style or preference
The latest trend in fashion is sustainability.
Mainstream
Standard technology or products
Most mainstream smartphones now have touchscreens.
Trend
Market movement in finance
The stock has shown an upward trend this quarter.
Mainstream
Music that is commercially viable
He prefers mainstream music over indie.
Trend
Shift in statistical data
There's a trend towards remote work in the data.
Mainstream
The mainstream is the prevalent current thought that is widespread.It includes all popular culture and media culture, typically disseminated by mass media. This word is sometimes used in a pejorative sense by subcultures who view ostensibly mainstream culture as not only exclusive but artistically and aesthetically inferior.It is to be distinguished from subcultures and countercultures, and at the opposite extreme are cult followings and fringe theories.
Trend
A general tendency or course of events
A warming trend.
Mainstream
The prevailing current of thought, influence, or activity
"You need not accept the nominee's ideology, only be able to locate it in the American mainstream" (Charles Krauthammer).
Trend
Current style; vogue
The latest trend in fashion.
Mainstream
Representing the prevalent attitudes, values, and practices of a society or group
Mainstream morality.
Trend
The general direction of something
The river's southern trend.
Mainstream
To integrate (a student with special needs) into regular school classes.
Trend
To show a general tendency; tend
The magazine's circulation is trending downward.
Mainstream
To incorporate into a prevailing group.
Trend
To undergo a rapid increase in public interest or attention
News of the earthquake is trending on social media.
Mainstream
Used or accepted broadly rather than by small portions of a population or market.
They often carry stories you won't find in the mainstream media.
Trend
To extend, incline, or veer in a specified direction
The prevailing wind trends northeast.
Mainstream
The principal current in a flow, such as a river or flow of air
Trend
An inclination in a particular direction.
The trend of a coastline
The upward trend of stock-market prices
Mainstream
That which is common; the norm.
Ideas outside of the mainstream
Trend
A tendency.
There is a trend, these days, for people in films not to smoke.
Mainstream
(transitive) To popularize, to normalize, to render mainstream.
Trend
A fad or fashion style.
Miniskirts were one of the biggest trends of the 1960s.
Mainstream
(intransitive) To become mainstream.
Trend
(mathematics) A line drawn on a graph that approximates the trend of a number of disparate points.
Mainstream
To educate (a disabled student) together with non-disabled students.
Trend
(nautical) The lower end of the shank of an anchor, being the same distance on the shank from the throat that the arm measures from the throat to the bill.
Mainstream
The prevailing opinion or practise; as, the doctor avoided using therapies outside the mainstream of modern medical practice.
Trend
(nautical) The angle made by the line of a vessel's keel and the direction of the anchor cable, when she is swinging at anchor.
Mainstream
TO place (a student) in regular school classes; - used especially of mentally or physically handicapped children.
Trend
Clean wool.
Mainstream
The prevailing current of thought;
His thinking was in the American mainstream
Trend
(intransitive) To have a particular direction; to run; to stretch; to tend.
The shore of the sea trends to the southwest.
Mainstream
Common educational practices
They followed a mainstream curriculum.
Trend
(transitive) To cause to turn; to bend.
Trend
To be the subject of a trend; to be currently popular, relevant or interesting.
What topics have been trending on social networks this week?
Trend
To cleanse or clean (something, usually wool).
Trend
To have a particular direction; to run; to stretch; to tend; as, the shore of the sea trends to the southwest.
Trend
To cause to turn; to bend.
Not far beneath i' the valley as she trendsHer silver stream.
Trend
To cleanse, as wool.
Trend
Inclination in a particular direction; tendency; general direction; as, the trend of a coast.
Trend
Clean wool.
Trend
A general direction in which something tends to move;
The shoreward tendency of the current
The trend of the stock market
Trend
General line of orientation;
The river takes a southern course
The northeastern trend of the coast
Trend
A general tendency to change (as of opinion);
Not openly liberal but that is the trend of the book
A broad movement of the electorate to the right
Trend
The popular taste at a given time;
Leather is the latest vogue
He followed current trends
The 1920s had a style of their own
Trend
Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right
Trend
A new direction in public opinion
There is a trend in support for renewable energy.
Common Curiosities
What does it mean if something becomes mainstream?
It becomes widely recognized and accepted by the general population.
Is mainstream media considered influential?
Yes, because it reflects and shapes the dominant culture and opinions.
How do trends affect businesses?
They can drive temporary demand and influence future business strategies.
How does a trend differ from a fad?
A trend has more staying power and influence than a fad, which is short-lived.
Can trends become mainstream?
Yes, if they gain enough popularity and acceptance.
Is being mainstream a positive thing?
It can be seen as positive or negative, depending on the context and perspective.
How quickly can a trend change?
Trends can change rapidly, often influenced by social media and cultural events.
Are all mainstream ideas conservative?
Not necessarily; they can be progressive if the majority supports them.
How do trends start?
Trends often start with a small group or influential individuals and gain traction.
Do trends only apply to fashion?
No, trends can apply to any area, such as technology, language, or behavior.
How can I tell if something is a trend or mainstream?
Mainstream is widely accepted and stable, while a trend is a newer pattern that may still be evolving.
Can a person be mainstream?
Yes, if their behaviors and beliefs align with the majority.
Are mainstream ideas the same worldwide?
No, what's mainstream can vary significantly by culture and region.
Is it profitable to follow trends in business?
It can be, especially if the trend aligns with the business's offerings.
Do trends reflect societal values?
Yes, they often mirror the current sentiments and interests of society.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
