flair

American  

[flair] / flɛər /

noun

1. a natural talent, aptitude, or ability; bent; knack.

   a flair for rhyming.

2. smartness of style, manner, etc..

   Their window display has absolutely no flair at all.

   Synonyms:

   pizazz, oomph, verve, panache, dash, chic

3. keen, intuitive perception or discernment.

   We want a casting director with a real flair for finding dramatic talent.

4. Hunting. scent; sense of smell.

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flair ¹ British  

/ flɛə /

noun

1. natural ability; talent; aptitude

2. instinctive discernment; perceptiveness

3. stylishness or elegance; dash

   to dress with flair

4. rare hunting

   1. the scent left by quarry

   2. the sense of smell of a hound

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flair ² British  

/ flIr /

noun

1. a Scot word for floor

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Etymology

Origin of flair

First recorded before 1350–1400; Middle English, from French, Old French: “scent,” noun derivative of flairier “to reek,” ultimately from unattested Vulgar Latin flāgrāre, dissimilated variant of Latin frāgrāre; fragrant

Example Sentences

The couple have had the chance to add some of their own flair to the room in the form of artwork that is mounted on the wall, and a few vases and plants.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026

The result, the author concludes, “is in many ways a blend of prose and poetry. He writes with a lyrical flair that entices the reader to read aloud and almost sing the story being told.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The Latin teams play with more flair, which is great.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

There are doubts about his ability to balance his natural flair with game management, but a shrewd display in Harlequins' win over Saracens in October showed he can strike it right.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Chandresh has an inherent flair for the unusual and curious; he understands the power of atmosphere.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern

Related Words

• ability
• aptitude
• elegance
• genius
• gift
• glamour
• knack
• mastery
• taste