Definition of flair

The word "flair" originally comes from the French word "flair" meaning "nose" or "scent" in the context of detecting something, such as an animal's prey or a wine's aroma. This usage of the word was brought over to English by French chefs working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They used "flair" to describe their ability to identify and select high-quality ingredients with exceptional flavor and aroma. As the career of a chef evolved beyond simply preparing food to also encompassing the presentation and style of a dish, "flair" became associated with creativity, innovation, and the unique style of a chef. This usage of the word expanded beyond the culinary world, and today, "flair" is used generally to describe someone's distinctive style, talent, or ability to add a special touch or flavor to something.