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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
Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The new hotel will feature 280 rooms and suites, 55 private residences, and 10 restaurants and bars serving a range of cuisines from high-end Japanese to signature Greek dishes with French flair.
—Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 29 May 2025
His touches away from pressure can often be surprising in their flair.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Inspired by the tour’s Western flair with a high-fashion twist, the Beyhive’s outfits are just as important as the ticket.
—Essence, 28 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.
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flair
noun
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