flair

noun

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 flairBruce 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By Kimberly Quiros, New York Combining Colombian heritage with New York flair, MyPerlitas is founder Kimberly Quiros’ love letter to the women in her family. Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025 The dining car turns out fine delicacies with Italian flair, while the lounge car hops with finger-snapping tunes by a piano, saxophone, clarinet trio. Eleanor Flagler Hardy, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025 Boutique Jack-O’-Lanterns Door Mat Add fall flair to doorways with this coir mat that has an inviting pumpkin design. Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 Adding fun, unexpected touches, like three oversized bows down the front, instantly gives the classic piece more flair and ups the style. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for flair

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of flair was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

flair

noun
ˈfla(ə)r How to pronounce flair (audio)
ˈfle(ə)r
: natural ability

More from Merriam-Webster on flair

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