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panache
/pəˈnæʃ/
distinctive flair
She carried off the presentation with panache, impressing everyone.
She performed the task in a stylish and confident way.
formal
Distinctive and stylish elegance or flair.
The chef's dishes were not only delicious but prepared with panache.
The chef's cooking was done with a stylish and confident approach.
His speech lacked substance but had plenty of panache.
His speech was flashy and confident but not well-supported.
Often implies confidence and a touch of showiness. Commonly used to describe performances, presentations, or creative work.
Collocations
with panachein a stylish and confident mannerfull of panachehaving a lot of stylish confidence
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing in informal speech
While 'panache' sounds sophisticated, it may come across as pretentious in casual settings. Use 'flair' or 'style' instead.
Gold Rule
Use for confident style, not just any elegance
Panache implies not just elegance but also a bold, confident execution. A simple elegant dress lacks panache; a bold, stylish performance has it.
Word Origin
From French *panache* (originally 'plume' or 'tuft'), from Italian *penacchio*, from Latin *penna* (feather). The figurative sense of 'flair' emerged in the 19th century.
Usage Notes
Used to describe a positive quality of style or confidence. Rarely used in casual conversation; more common in formal or literary contexts.
Word Breakdown
panache
flair
rootEnglish Dictionary