élan

[ ey-lahn, ey-lan; French ey-lahn ]

noun

1. style; flair; dash (especially in manner):

   to dance with great élan.

   Synonyms: zest, verve, spirit, panache, esprit, animation

élan

/ eɪˈlæn; elɑ̃; eɪˈlɑːn /

noun

1. a combination of style and vigour

   he performed the concerto with élan

Word History and Origins

Origin of élan¹

First recorded in 1875–80; French, Middle French eslan “a dash, rush,” noun derivative of eslancer “to dart,” equivalent to es- ex- ¹ + lancer “to lance ¹ ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of élan¹

C19: from French, from élancer to throw forth, ultimately from Latin lancea lance

Example Sentences

The romance of elan energized the volunteers who flocked to the colors in the early years of the struggle.

From The Daily Beast

Now that we know about DNA, we no longer need an elan vital.

From The Daily Beast

The Italian automaker brought new management, design ideas, cash, and marketing elan to the company.

From The Daily Beast

As the indictment notes, Martoma was regarded by an SAC official as a “one-trick pony with Elan.”

From The Daily Beast

Daim is the French for deer, and cerf for stag; elan is the true term, when one would speak of an elk.

From Project Gutenberg

On the north lay the river Elan and on the south the steep side of a mountain towered up against the luminous sky.

From Project Gutenberg

The journey from Rhayader to Cwm Elan, a distance of five miles up the valley of the little river, is very beautiful.

From Project Gutenberg

Von Bar noticed hippobosci on the elan, during his residence in Knigsberg.

From Project Gutenberg

In these works the musician finds nerve, sparkle, elan, and brightness combined with technical charm and richness of thought.

From Project Gutenberg