je ne sais quoi
noun
: something (such as an appealing quality) that cannot be adequately described or expressed
a young actress who has a certain je ne sais quoi
Examples of je ne sais quoi in a Sentence
Although the sculpture had flaws, it also had a certain je ne sais quoi that made it very appealing.
Recent Examples on the Web
This had a certain je ne sais quoi, but our panelists struggled to figure out if that was a good thing.
—
Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Zach Braff and Vanessa Hudgens have a certain je ne sais quoi in their new movie.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
As for the je ne sais quoi of a 2012 Chipotle burrito bowl?
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 30 Nov. 2023
Borsari’s Savory Seasoning has all of that plus the addition of lavender, which gives it a je ne sais quoi that elevates it to the realm of special.
—New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
There was something ineffable—not quite a je ne sais quoi, more like non so che cosa—about the offhand elegance of the place.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
In addition to a middle part with wispy bangs framing her forehead, the low, tight braids feel more je ne sais quoi than juvenile.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Oct. 2023
Her peers from that time remember her as impeccably dressed and poised, possessed of a certain je ne sais quoi.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023
Years in the making, the Selle Faubourg saddle marries craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage, with that Hermès je ne sais quoi.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2023
Allison Robicelli, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024
Zach Braff and Vanessa Hudgens have a certain je ne sais quoi in their new movie.
—Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024
As for the je ne sais quoi of a 2012 Chipotle burrito bowl?
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 30 Nov. 2023
Borsari’s Savory Seasoning has all of that plus the addition of lavender, which gives it a je ne sais quoi that elevates it to the realm of special.
—New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
There was something ineffable—not quite a je ne sais quoi, more like non so che cosa—about the offhand elegance of the place.
—Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2023
In addition to a middle part with wispy bangs framing her forehead, the low, tight braids feel more je ne sais quoi than juvenile.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 3 Oct. 2023
Her peers from that time remember her as impeccably dressed and poised, possessed of a certain je ne sais quoi.
—Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2023
Years in the making, the Selle Faubourg saddle marries craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage, with that Hermès je ne sais quoi.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'je ne sais quoi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near je ne sais quoi
Cite this Entry
“Je ne sais quoi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/je%20ne%20sais%20quoi. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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