je ne sais quoi

noun

: something (such as an appealing quality) that cannot be adequately described or expressed
a young actress who has a certain je ne sais quoi

Examples of je ne sais quoi in a Sentence

Although the sculpture had flaws, it also had a certain je ne sais quoi that made it very appealing.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Browned butter gives them that je ne sais quoi quality that will have your new neighbors reaching out for the recipe. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2024 Internally, the residence channels a certain European je ne sais quoi with elegant paned windows, glassy French doors, exposed beam ceilings, and stately fireplaces. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024 The retail giant plays a big role in the lives of American consumers, offering everything from groceries and socks to laundry detergent, diapers, pet food, and electronics — embezzled with a corporate je ne sais quoi. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 18 Sep. 2024 Obviously great, but the night was really about experiencing that Eckhaus Latta je ne sais quoi in a real tangible way. Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for je ne sais quoi 

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, I know not what

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of je ne sais quoi was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near je ne sais quoi

Cite this Entry

“Je ne sais quoi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/je%20ne%20sais%20quoi. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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