flair

noun

1
: a skill or instinctive ability to appreciate or make good use of something : talent
a flair for color
also : inclination, tendency
a flair for the dramatic
2
: a uniquely attractive quality : style
fashionable dresses with a flair all their own
Montreal is a city noted for its … European flairBruce Minorgan

Did you know?

In the 14th century, if someone told you that you had flair (or flayre as it was then commonly spelled), you might very well take offense. This is because in Middle English flayre meant "an odor." The word is derived from the Old French verb flairier ("to give off an odor"), which came, in turn, from Late Latin flagrare, itself an alteration of fragrare. (The English words fragrant and fragrance also derive from fragrare.) The "odor" sense of flair fell out of use, but in the 19th century, English speakers once again borrowed flair from the French—this time (influenced by the Modern French use of the word for the sense of smell) to indicate a discriminating sense or instinctive discernment.

Examples of flair in a Sentence

a restaurant with a European flair a person with a flair for making friends quickly
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His burgeoning jazz-funk had a cinematic flair that flowered on his soundtrack for the seminal blaxploitation film Coffy in 1973. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025 This two day conference will have more of an institutional flair. Aaron Stanley, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Unlike Martha Stewart’s quasi-stern advice for at-homebodies, With Love, Meghan, doesn’t give you new tips, new household solutions, a new flair with guests. Raven Smith, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 Doja Cat made her Oscars red carpet debut on Sunday, bringing wild flair to the 2025 Academy Awards. Renan Botelho, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flair

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, sense of smell, from Old French, odor, from flairier to give off an odor, from Late Latin flagrare, alteration of Latin fragrare

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flair was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

flair

noun
ˈfla(ə)r How to pronounce flair (audio)
ˈfle(ə)r
: natural ability

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