éclat
Americannoun
-
brilliance of success, reputation, etc..
the éclat of a great achievement.
-
showy or elaborate display.
a performance of great éclat.
-
acclamation; acclaim.
noun
-
brilliant or conspicuous success, effect, etc
-
showy display; ostentation
-
social distinction
-
approval; acclaim; applause
Etymology
Origin of éclat
1665–75; < French: splinter, fragment, burst, flash, brilliance, Old French esclat, noun derivative of esclater to burst, break violently, probably < Old Low Franconian *slaitan to split, break (compare Old High German sleizan to tear), a causative of Germanic *slitan; see slit
Explanation
When you do something with eclat, you do it with great style or an amazing effect. A skilled magician performs all of her tricks with eclat. Eclat is the gusto or flair with which you make an entrance at a party or sing a song at your school talent show. It's also a certain measure of success, especially the type that other people consider you to have — your skill on the soccer field might lend you a certain amount of eclat among your classmates, for example. The word eclat comes from the French éclat, which means "splinter or fragment," but also "flash of brilliance."
Vocabulary lists containing eclat
English Words Derived from French, List 9
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Eight Cousins
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Last of the Mohicans
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bruch’s Fantasy is devilishly difficult to perform, but like Beethoven’s concerto, its difficulty lies in the vulnerability it requires of the soloist more than in feats of technical éclat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
He was soigné, to use one of his favorite words, and he had éclat, to use another.
From New York Times ● Jan. 22, 2022
Ford ends his appreciation with éclat, holding up the famous opening paragraphs of Great Expectations as the work of a “master stylist”.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 9, 2020
Nonetheless, France did manage a few moments of éclat et élan in that semifinal, and none were more breathtaking than Kylian Mbappé’s backheel.
From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2018
Twice before had he done so, obtaining by it a sort of borrowed éclat that was mistaken for bravery.
From The Child Wife by Mayne Reid
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
