flair
/flɛː
/noun
1 [in singular] A special or instinctive aptitude or ability for doing something well: she had a flair for languages [mass noun]: none of us had much artistic flair...
- He had a flair for drawing and an ability to grasp and execute delicate model settings.
- They are coming to Bangalore to hunt for some gifted youngsters, with a flair for acting.
- He was gifted with his hands and had a natural flair for wood-turning and carpentry.
Synonyms
aptitude, talent, gift, knack, instinct, natural ability, ability, capability, capacity, faculty, facility, skill, bent, feel, genius
2 [mass noun] Stylishness and originality: she dressed with flair...
- Judges placed high value on entries that demonstrated imagination, originality and flair.
- She went for a formal and textured look with a touch of modernity and lots of flair and originality.
- He did, however, have an innate grasp of public relations, dressing with flair so people would notice him.
Synonyms
style, stylishness, panache, verve, dash, elan, finesse, poise, elegance, sparkle, brio;
inventiveness, creativity;
taste, good taste, discernment, discrimination
informal class, pizzazz
Origin
Late 19th century: from French, from flairer 'to smell', based on Latin fragrare 'smell sweet'. Compare with fragrant.
This word for ‘instinctive aptitude’ comes from French, from flairer ‘to smell’, based on Latin fragrare ‘smell sweet’, source also of fragrant (Late Middle English) and fragrance (mid 17th century). The notion is one of having the ability to detect the ‘scent, essence’ of something and the know-how to react accordingly.