élan

[ ey-lahn, ey-lan; French ey-lahn ]

See synonyms for élan on Thesaurus.com

noun

style; flair; dash (especially in manner): to dance with great élan.

Origin of élan

First recorded in 1875–80; French, Middle French eslan “a dash, rush,” noun derivative of eslancer “to dart,” equivalent to es- ex-¹ + lancer “to lance¹”

Other words for élan

animation, esprit, panache, spirit, verve, zest

See synonyms for élan on Thesaurus.com

Words that may be confused with élan

éclat, élan

Words Nearby élan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use élan in a sentence

The romance of elan energized the volunteers who flocked to the colors in the early years of the struggle.
Lawrence of Arabia Became Popular as the Dashing Antithesis of the War in Europe | Jack Schwartz | December 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Now that we know about DNA, we no longer need an elan vital.
Is the Brain No Different From a Light Switch? The Uncomfortable Ideas of the Philosopher Daniel Dennett | Jonathan Weiner | May 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Italian automaker brought new management, design ideas, cash, and marketing elan to the company.
Bailout’s Success Lets Treasury Take Loss on General Motors Stock | Daniel Gross | December 19, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
As the indictment notes, Martoma was regarded by an SAC official as a “one-trick pony with Elan.”
The Insider-Trading Cloud Hanging Over SAC Capital’s Steven A. Cohen | Daniel Gross | November 27, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Daim is the French for deer, and cerf for stag; elan is the true term, when one would speak of an elk.
The Last of the Mohicans | James Fenimore Cooper

On the north lay the river Elan and on the south the steep side of a mountain towered up against the luminous sky.
The Blue Germ | Martin Swayne
The journey from Rhayader to Cwm Elan, a distance of five miles up the valley of the little river, is very beautiful.
The Rivers of Great Britain; Rivers of the South and West Coasts | Various
Von Bar noticed hippobosci on the elan, during his residence in Knigsberg.
Animal Parasites and Messmates | P. J. Van Beneden
In these works the musician finds nerve, sparkle, elan, and brightness combined with technical charm and richness of thought.
Great Violinists And Pianists | George T. Ferris

British Dictionary definitions for élan

élan

/ (eɪˈlɑːn, eɪˈlæn, French elɑ̃) /

noun

a combination of style and vigour: he performed the concerto with élan

Origin of élan

C19: from French, from élancer to throw forth, ultimately from Latin lancea lance

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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