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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
Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
The flair, the elegance, the rhythm — the fact all of those things occur simultaneously with seemingly no thought or sweat.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 2 July 2025
The menu incorporates seasonal flavors, a creative spirit and traditional Mexican cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.
—Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The high-waisted is supportive, the pleats add a cute flair, and the three pockets—yes, three—are great for carrying all the small must-haves without needing a bag.
—Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for flair
Cite this Entry
“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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flair
noun
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