je ne sais quoi

je ne sais quoi

noun \zhə-nə-ˌsā-ˈkwä\

Definition of JE NE SAIS QUOI

: something that cannot be adequately described or expressed

Examples of JE NE SAIS QUOI

1. Although the sculpture had flaws, it also had a certain je ne sais quoi that made it very appealing.

Origin of JE NE SAIS QUOI

French, literally, I know not what

First Known Use: circa 1656

Rhymes with JE NE SAIS QUOI

ayatollah, caracara, con anima, coureur de bois, hors de combat, ménage à trois, petit bourgeois, phenomena, res publica, sursum corda, tamandua