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In the 14th century, if someone told you that you had flair (or flayre as it was then commonly spelled), you might very well take offense. This is because in Middle English flayre meant "an odor." The word is derived from the Old French verb flairier ("to give off an odor"), which came, in turn, from Late Latin flagrare, itself an alteration of fragrare. (The English words fragrant and fragrance also derive from fragrare.) The "odor" sense of flair fell out of use, but in the 19th century, English speakers once again borrowed flair from the French—this time (influenced by the Modern French use of the word for the sense of smell) to indicate a discriminating sense or instinctive discernment.
Examples of flair in a Sentence
The Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Nov. 2025
The metallic strands add festive flair and instant charm to mantels and doorways.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Brands like TGIFridays and Red Lobster have similarly looked to reinvent themselves and compete with the likes of Chili’s, which has soared thanks to a recipe of operational efficiency, as well as a flair for online virality and promise of value for consumers more sensitive to menu prices.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 14 Nov. 2025
Each style uses Moon Boot’s signature silhouette in high, low and slip-on options; the shoes showcase special-edition prints and palettes, and extra flair is added with details such as bead charms, colored laces, and suede and faux fur embellishments.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flair
Cite this Entry
“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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flair
noun
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