1.
sweeping popularity; dominating; taking by storm
To spread widely and dominate, like wind bending grass. Almost exclusively used in the set phrase 一世を風靡する (to take the world by storm).
あのバンドは一世を風靡した。
That band took the world by storm.
1990年代に一世を風靡したファッションが再び注目されている。
Fashion that swept the world in the 1990s is attracting attention again.
かつて一世を風靡した歌手が引退を発表し、ファンの間に衝撃が走った。
A singer who once took the world by storm announced retirement, sending shockwaves among fans.
USAGE: 風靡 is almost always used in the fixed phrase 一世を風靡する (to take the world by storm, to sweep the era). It is rarely used outside this expression.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 一世を風靡する (to dominate an era, to become hugely popular)
- 世間を風靡する (to sweep through society)
The literal meaning is "wind bending (grass)" — the kanji 靡く means to sway or bend in the wind. The image is of a powerful trend that bends everything in its path, like wind flattening grass across a field. This word is primarily used in the past tense to describe phenomena that already swept through, often with a nostalgic tone.