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

With tropical flair, the performance kicked off the three-hour spectacle, which brought the audience to its feet, tears to winners’ faces and nostalgic moments.

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

Wednesday inherits her mother’s flair for the macabre, and the family’s power grows as each member embraces the oddities passed down to them.

From Salon

Related Words

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