flair

[ flair ]

noun

1. a natural talent, aptitude, or ability; bent; knack:

   a flair for rhyming.

2. smartness of style, manner, etc.:

   Their window display has absolutely no flair at all.

   Synonyms: pizazz, oomph, verve, panache, dash, chic

3. keen, intuitive perception or discernment:

   We want a casting director with a real flair for finding dramatic talent.

4. Hunting. scent; sense of smell.

flair

¹

/ flɛə /

noun

1. natural ability; talent; aptitude
2. instinctive discernment; perceptiveness
3. stylishness or elegance; dash

   to dress with flair

4. rare.
   hunting
   1. the scent left by quarry
   2. the sense of smell of a hound

flair

²

/ flIr /

noun

1. a Scot word for floor

Word History and Origins

Origin of flair¹

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English, from French, Old French: “scent,” noun derivative of flairier “to reek,” ultimately from unattested Vulgar Latin flāgrāre, dissimilated variant of Latin frāgrāre; fragrant

Word History and Origins

Origin of flair¹

C19: from French, literally: sense of smell, from Old French: scent, from flairier to give off a smell, ultimately from Latin frāgrāre to smell sweet; see fragrant

Example Sentences

Parker Davis of Hardy Californians is a landscape designer and native plant fanatic, but he also has a flair for fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

His innovative creations were worn by Hollywood stars and supermodels and he became synonymous with blending India's rich cultural heritage with a contemporary flair.

From BBC

As its title character embarks on a gender transition that whisks her away from her violent drug-dealing past and into a placid domestic future, director Jacques Audiard concocts a dizzying Spanish-language musical whose outward bombastic flair anchors an intimate focus on the inner lives of women in contemporary Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times

Teri Garr, an actor with a flair for comedy who was known for film roles in “Young Frankenstein,” “Oh, God!” and “Tootsie,” a part that earned her an Oscar nomination, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

Moments after the 15,804 in the stands erupted when Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam that appeared on the videoboard as the teams trotted to their locker rooms, the Black Eyed Peas performed with the help — and flair — of Garfield and Roosevelt High’s bands and cheerleaders.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability
• aptitude
• elegance
• genius
• gift
• glamour
• knack
• mastery
• taste