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

Dame Elan Closs Stephens was appointed interim chair a few weeks before the Sun newspaper first made allegations about Edwards' private life, leaving shortly before his resignation from the BBC in March this year.

From BBC

In a statement to BBC-produced Newyddion S4C, Dame Elan confirmed she was aware of the arrest in her capacity as interim chair of the BBC, but was not aware of the "terrible details which have come to light this week" after he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children.

From BBC

Dame Elan said revelations from the the court had come as a shock to her and that she was "horrified by it all".

From BBC

Newyddion S4C also asked the BBC whether Dame Elan was informed of Edwards' arrest last November and the nature of the investigation, but it is yet to receive a response.

From BBC