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

Ireland began the match with a series of testing up-and-unders but the first half quickly turned into a demonstration of French flair.

From Barron's

Boldúman –a German doughboy with Catalan flair, ridiculous and adorable– is one of Barcelona’s best stories, seldom heard beyond its borders.

From Salon

Confidence oozing from every player, and Kerolin a bag of tricks and flair, it was a showcase of everything that has helped City carve out such a commanding lead.

From BBC

He conceived and executed it with unerring vision and remarkable flair.

From The Wall Street Journal

Enrigue has a long career of writing brilliant and gripping literary accounts of Mexico’s history with a daring flair.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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