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 potential for damagingly inaccurate outputs is heightened by AI bots’ natural language capabilities, with which they offer even absurdly inaccurate answers with convincingly cocksure elan.

From Los Angeles Times

Chucho and Correa become good friends as well, as the principal is won over by the new teacher’s creativity, commitment and elan.

From Los Angeles Times

There was some real youthful elan in his win at the 65+ senior championship over FM David Shnaider in a Rossolimo Sicilian.

From Washington Times

Through two starts, Penix has run the Husky offense with precision, confidence and even a bit of elan.

From Seattle Times

Orbiting her is a polished ensemble of singer-actors, who handle the nearly two dozen solo and choral numbers with the requisite elan.

From Washington Post