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In the 14th century, if someone told you that you had flair (or flayre as it was then commonly spelled), you might very well take offense. This is because in Middle English flayre meant "an odor." The word is derived from the Old French verb flairier ("to give off an odor"), which came, in turn, from Late Latin flagrare, itself an alteration of fragrare. (The English words fragrant and fragrance also derive from fragrare.) The "odor" sense of flair fell out of use, but in the 19th century, English speakers once again borrowed flair from the French—this time (influenced by the Modern French use of the word for the sense of smell) to indicate a discriminating sense or instinctive discernment.
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Examples of flair in a Sentence
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2025
Adding a culinary flair to the series are renowned chefs and restaurateurs Roy Choi and Ramon Velazquez, along with farm-to-table pioneer Alice Waters, who share their expertise and passion for food.
—Erin Hill, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
For a Cajun flair, start your meal with a bowl of turtle soup or seafood and andouille gumbo.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2024
Glow Worm Caves and the Natural Bridge are places that seem to echo the wonder of Tasmania’s natural beauty — but with a tropical flair.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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flair
noun
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