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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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Chef-partner Robert Sisca started his career as a sous chef at Le Bernardin in New York City, and brings that French flair to breakfast with Duck Confit 'Foieffles, a playful Gallic twist on chicken and waffles.
—Jillian Dara, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
George Weah brought rhythm and flair to his game and put Liberia on the footballing map after becoming the first African and non-European footballer to win the Ballon d’Or in 1995.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
The new roadside destination will feature barbecue, live music, a dog park, and plenty of Dolly flair.
—Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flair
Cite this Entry
“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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flair
noun
