flair

noun

ˈfler 

1

: a skill or instinctive ability to appreciate or make good use of something : talent

a flair for color

also : inclination, tendency

a flair for the dramatic

2

: a uniquely attractive quality : style

fashionable dresses with a flair all their own

Montreal is a city noted for its … European flair

—Bruce Minorgan

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

• aptitude
• bent
• endowment
• faculty
• genius
• gift
• head
• knack
• talent

Examples of flair in a Sentence

a restaurant with a European flair

a person with a flair for making friends quickly

Recent Examples on the Web

Address: 64 Tung Choi St, Mong Kok, Hong Kong Courtesy of Midwest Vintage Midwest Vintage As its name suggests, Midwest Vintage has a bit of an Americana flair. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

Lauper, meanwhile, kept it chic in all black, her top's white ruffle sleeves adding a touch of flair. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024

Twelve hundred miles south, in Miami, the Heat’s Kaseya Center delivers a VIP experience with decidedly South Beach flair. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 20 Apr. 2024

But while Ritchie infused the story with his own flair (and predilection for improvisation), the outlines of the mission itself are depicted more or less accurately. —Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Leaks already point to the iPhone 16 being chock full of Samsung-like flair with Cupertino’s take on AI. —Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024

Disc two is even better: the affecting melodic richness of Fish’s autobiographical Misplaced Childhood, performed with flair and precision during a 1986 London gig. —Ernesto Lechner, SPIN, 11 Apr. 2024

This two-toned set from Amazon adds a bit of fashion flair to the typical spring formula without sacrificing comfort. —Averi Baudler, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

Jones layers on the realism with the inconspicuous flair of a great portrait painter, who can capture the soul of a subject through the cut of her dress and the glint of intent in her eyes. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, sense of smell, from Old French, odor, from flairier to give off an odor, from Late Latin flagrare, alteration of Latin fragrare

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

flair

noun

ˈfla(ə)r 

ˈfle(ə)r

: natural ability