panache
Americannoun
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a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair.
The actor who would play Cyrano must have panache.
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an ornamental plume of feathers, tassels, or the like, especially one worn on a helmet or cap.
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Architecture. the surface of a pendentive.
noun
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a dashing manner; style; swagger
he rides with panache
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a feathered plume on a helmet
Etymology
Origin of panache
First recorded in 1545–55; variant (after French ) of pennache, from Middle French, from early Italian pennachio, from Late Latin pinnāculum, diminutive of pinna “wing”; identical in form with pinnāculum “roof gable, peak”; see pinnacle
Explanation
To have panache is to have a stylish flair. You might wear your giant polka-dotted scarf with great panache. Panache comes from the Latin word pinnaculum, which means “small wing” or “tuft of feathers.” When you decorate yourself with a flourish, have an elegant appearance, or do something with style, you are said to have panache. You might wear your beret with new-found panache. Your aunt Milly may throw a party with unmatched panache. Or your brother's ability to turn a phrase may show an uncommon panache.
Vocabulary lists containing panache
Into the Wild
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Educated
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30 GRE Words Beginning with "P"
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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.
We have Black Mission figs coming in and I want to buy a Panache Tiger Striped fig.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2021
“Because of Modi, many politicians have started taking classes,” says Bijal Mamniya, director of Panache Image Consultants.
From The Guardian • Nov. 12, 2016
No injuries were reported after flames shot eight to 10 feet high, and black smoke poured from sidewalk grates and manholes outside of Panache in the 1700 block of Desales Street NW about 7:30 p.m.
From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2016
Panache is great, but at the end of the day I probably wouldn't be where I am today if I was like that.
From BBC • Dec. 18, 2014
Panache, little expecting to find any body there, entered, volubly repeating—"Dey let me ring, ring, ring!"
From Tales and Novels — Volume 01 by Edgeworth, Maria
Definitions 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.
