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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.
Examples of flair in a Sentence
Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
The new song is a riveting fusion of house, bomba and plena — a continuation of the superstar’s tropical flair.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
The white, oiled leather shoes feature a statement-making silver buckle that adds a touch of flair to any travel look, from a simple black dress to jeans and a T-shirt.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025
Designers love the mix of stylish kitchenware, accent lighting, and decorative accessories that add both function and flair.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flair
Cite this Entry
“Flair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flair. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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flair
noun
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