je ne sais quoi

noun

zhə-nə-ˌsā-ˈkwä

: 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 The style maven has always represented a cool-girl je ne sais quoi with an effortless attitude that speaks for itself, and the new Alexa Chung for Madewell collection fronts her aura with refined sensibilities that elevate autumnal basics. —

Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 9 Sep. 2024 Movies that have that certain je ne sais quoi that almost seems to feed off the audience reaction. —

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024 Print this article In a host city home to many of the world’s best hotels, restaurants, fashion houses and museums, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics was destined to have a certain je ne sais quoi. —

Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 5 Aug. 2024 Much will also ride on breakers’ je ne sais quoi, that certain oomph of charisma and confidence. —

Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for je ne sais quoi

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'je ne sais quoi.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Je ne sais quoi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/je%20ne%20sais%20quoi. Accessed 21 Sep. 2024.

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