Etymology Map
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Flair

4 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a natural talent or aptitude

Where does the word "flair" come from? It comes from Latin fragrāre, passing through Old French and French before entering English (1880s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
fragrāre
Latin · ancient
"to smell"
to smell sweet, the root of 'fragrant'
2
Stage 2 of 4
flairer
Old French · medieval
"to smell"
to give off or detect a smell
3
Stage 3 of 4
flair
French · 1600s
"scent, keen sense"
a dog's sense of smell, and then a knack for sniffing things out
4
Stage 4 of 4
flair
English · 1880s
"natural talent"
borrowed in the sense of instinctive talent
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Read the full story

Flair’s story begins in Latin: fragrāre meant “to smell.” To smell sweet, the root of 'fragrant'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flairer. To give off or detect a smell. From there it passed into French as flair by 1600s. A dog's sense of smell, and then a knack for sniffing things out. It reached English by 1880s as flair. Borrowed in the sense of instinctive talent. Today, flair means a natural talent or aptitude.