rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryflairDistinctive style
noun

flair

FLAIR/fler/

A natural aptitude expressed with distinctive style.

The floral designer shows flair with a boldly asymmetrical bouquet.

A young floral designer demonstrates stylish originality by arranging an elegant, boldly asymmetrical bouquet, with a sweeping branch and carefully balanced flowers rather than a conventional round bunch.
Etymology
flairOld Frenchscent; sense of smell

The older meaning was a scent or sense of smell. Its shift to a special aptitude probably drew on the hunting image of a hound's ability to follow a scent.

In context

Mindset Reviews1:19
a notable scene involving a runaway water wheel that showcases Verbinski's flair for combining humor with high-stakes adventure
Swashbuckling Spectacle: Pirates of the Caribbean (2006) Review

More examples

  • She has a flair for turning simple ingredients into memorable meals.
  • He tells even familiar stories with flair.
  • Her flair for color makes the tiny apartment feel inviting.

Forms

flair

Similar words

talent
Emphasizes natural ability rather than a distinctive personal style.
panache
Emphasizes confident, showy style rather than natural aptitude.
knack
Emphasizes practical skill at a particular task, not style.