Flair vs. Flare: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 15, 2023
"Flair means a natural talent or style, while Flare refers to a burst of light or sudden expression of emotion."
Key Differences
"Flair" represents a distinctive style or natural ability to do something well, suggesting elegance or sophistication. Conversely, "Flare" is a sudden, brief burst of bright light or intense emotion.
A person with "flair" might possess a stylishness or originality in their manner of expression, making them stand out. In contrast, a "flare" could be a physical signal used for illumination or sending distress signals.
"Flair" can be inherent, reflecting an individual's innate talent or a cultivated skill, particularly in creative activities. "Flare," however, often denotes something more transient, like a sudden blaze or outbreak.
In fashion, "flair" might refer to the unique way a person dresses or carries themselves, demonstrating a sense of style. "Flare" in the same context could mean a specific style of clothing that widens outward, like flare jeans.
"Flair" in a work context implies someone has a special ability or aptitude, contributing to their success in that role. A "flare," however, might signify a sudden escalation, like a flare-up of conflict or disagreement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Distinctive elegance or style
Sudden burst of light or emotion
Usage in context
Describes talent or unique style
Depicts suddenness, brightness, or widening
Grammatical category
Usually a noun
Can be both a noun and a verb
Relation to individuals
Pertains to personal ability or style
Describes objects or emotional outbursts
Physical vs. non-physical
Often non-physical (e.g., talent)
Usually physical or visible
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Flair and Flare Definitions
Flair
Distinctive style
The interior designer's flair was evident in the vibrant room decor.
Flare
Signal in distress
The lost hikers used a flare to signal their location.
Flair
Stylishness and originality
He has a flair for dressing that always sets him apart at events.
Flare
Widening shape
Her 70s-inspired outfit included flare jeans.
Flair
Aptitude or knack
She has a flair for business, turning every project into a success.
Flare
Sudden increase
A flare in tensions was noted after the announcement.
Flair
A natural talent or aptitude; a knack
A flair for interior decorating.
Flare
To flame up with a bright, wavering light.
Flair
Instinctive discernment; keenness
A flair for the exotica.
Flare
To burst into intense, sudden flame.
Flair
Distinctive elegance or style
Served us with flair.
Flare
To erupt or intensify suddenly
Tempers flared at the meeting. His allergies flared up.
Flair
A natural or innate talent or aptitude.
To have a flair for art
Flare
To become suddenly angry. Used with up
He flared up when she alluded to his financial difficulties.
Flair
Distinctive style or elegance.
To dress with flair
Flare
To make a sudden angry verbal attack. Used with out
Flared out at his accusers.
Flair
(obsolete) Smell; odor.
Flare
To expand or open outward in shape
A skirt that flares from the waist.
Nostrils that flared with anger.
Flair
(obsolete) Olfaction; sense of smell.
Flare
To cause to flame up.
Flair
(transitive) To add flair.
Flare
To signal with a blaze of light.
Flair
Smell; odor.
Flare
A brief wavering blaze of light.
Flair
Sense of smell; scent; fig., discriminating sense.
Flare
A device that produces a bright light for signaling, illumination, or identification.
Flair
A talent or ability, expecially an intuitive one that makes performance of a task appear easy; an intuitive appreciation; a knack; as, she has a flair for acting.
Flare
An outbreak, as of emotion or activity.
Flair
An attractive way of performing a task; style.
Flare
An expanding or opening outward.
Flair
A natural talent;
He has a flair for mathematics
He has a genius for interior decorating
Flare
An unwanted reflection within an optical system or the resultant fogging of the image.
Flair
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
Flare
A solar flare.
Flair
A shape that spreads outward;
The skirt had a wide flare
Flare
(Football) A short pass to a back running toward the sideline.
Flair
Natural talent
Her flair for languages made learning Italian seem effortless.
Flare
(Baseball) A fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield.
Flair
Elegance in execution
The chef's flair was apparent in the exquisite presentation of each dish.
Flare
An area of redness on the skin surrounding the primary site of infection or irritation.
Flare
A sudden worsening of the symptoms of a disease or condition
Treating an arthritis flare.
Flare
A sudden bright light.
Flare
A source of brightly burning light or intense heat.
Solar flare
Flare
A type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light without an explosion, used to attract attention in an emergency, to illuminate an area, or as a decoy.
Flares were used to steer the traffic away from the accident.
The flares attracted the heat-seeking missiles.
Flare
(oil industry) A flame produced by a burn-off of waste gas (flare gas) from a flare tower (or flare stack), typically at an oil refinery.
Flare
(figuratively) A sudden eruption or outbreak; a flare-up.
Flare
A widening of an object with an otherwise roughly constant width.
During assembly of a flare tube fitting, a flare nut is used to secure the flared tubing’s tapered end to the also tapered fitting, producing a pressure-resistant, leak-tight seal.
That's a genuine early 70's flare on those pants.
Flare
(nautical) The increase in width of most ship hulls with increasing height above the waterline.
Flare
(in plural) Bell-bottom trousers.
Flare
(aviation) The transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
The captain executed the flare perfectly, and we lightly touched down.
Flare
(baseball) A low fly ball that is hit in the region between the infielders and the outfielders.
Jones hits a little flare to left that falls for a single.
Flare
(American football) A route run by the running back, releasing toward the sideline and then slightly arcing upfield looking for a short pass.
Flare
(photography) lens flare
Flare
An inflammation such as of tendons (tendonitis) or joints (osteoarthritis).
Flare
A breakdance move of someone helicoptering his torso on alternating arms.
Flare
(transitive) To cause to burn; in particular, to burn off excess gas (flare gas).
Flare
(transitive) To cause inflammation; to inflame.
Flare
(ambitransitive) To open outward in shape.
The cat flared its nostrils while sniffing at the air. (transitive)
The cat’s nostrils flared when it sniffed at the air. (intransitive)
The building flared from the third through the seventh floors to occupy the airspace over the entrance plaza. (intransitive)
The sides of a bowl flare. (intransitive)
Flare
To (operate an aircraft to) transition from downward flight to level flight just before landing.
Flare
(intransitive) To blaze brightly.
The blast furnace flared in the night.
Flare
(intransitive) To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.
The candle flared in a sudden draught.
Flare
To shine out with gaudy colours; to be offensively bright or showy.
Flare
To suddenly happen or intensify.
Flare up
Flare
To suddenly erupt in anger.
Flare up
Flare
To be exposed to too much light.
Flare
To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle flares.
Flare
To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.
Flare
To shine out with gaudy colors; to flaunt; to be offensively bright or showy.
With ribbons pendant, flaring about her head.
Flare
To be exposed to too much light.
Flaring in sunshine all the day.
Flare
To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the perpendicular; as, the sides of a bowl flare; the bows of a ship flare.
Flare
An unsteady, broad, offensive light.
Flare
A spreading outward; as, the flare of a fireplace.
Flare
A defect in a photographic objective such that an image of the stop, or diaphragm, appears as a fogged spot in the center of the developed negative.
Flare
Leaf of lard.
Flare
A shape that spreads outward;
The skirt had a wide flare
Flare
A sudden burst of flame
Flare
A burst of light used to communicate or illuminate
Flare
Reddening of the skin spreading outward from a focus of infection or irritation
Flare
A sudden recurrence or worsening of symptoms;
A colitis flare
Infection can cause a lupus flare
Flare
A sudden eruption of intense high-energy radiation from the sun's surface; associated with sunspots and radio interference
Flare
Am unwanted reflection in an optical system (or the fogging of an image that is caused by such a reflection)
Flare
A sudden outburst of emotion;
She felt a flare of delight
She could not control her flare of rage
Flare
A device that produces a bright light for warning or illumination or identification
Flare
A short forward pass to a back who is running toward the sidelines;
He threw a flare to the fullback who was tackled for a loss
Flare
(baseball) a fly ball hit a short distance into the outfield
Flare
Burn brightly;
Every star seemed to flare with new intensity
Flare
Become flared and widen, usually at one end;
The bellbottom pants flare out
Flare
Shine with a sudden light;
The night sky flared with the massive bombardment
Flare
Erupt or intensify suddenly;
Unrest erupted in the country
Tempers flared at the meeting
The crowd irrupted into a burst of patriotism
Flare
Burst of light
The sudden flare illuminated the night sky.
Flare
Outburst of emotion
A flare of anger crossed his face during the debate.
FAQs
Can "flair" be used in a professional context?
Absolutely, when referring to someone's talent or style in their work.
Is "flare" used in emergency situations?
Often, as it can refer to a distress signal, especially at sea or in remote areas.
Does "flair" have to be innate?
Not always; it can be a developed skill or style through practice.
Can "flare" mean an increase in something?
Yes, such as a sudden increase in noise, emotions, or even medical symptoms.
Does "flair" imply creativity?
Often, as it's associated with a unique style or approach.
Is "flair" tangible?
It's more an abstract quality related to perception.
Does "flare" only refer to visual brightness?
Primarily, but it can also signify a sudden and often brief outburst.
Can "flair" refer to a sense of fashion?
Yes, it can refer to a stylish and unique way of dressing or presenting oneself.
Can "flare" be planned?
It can be, especially when used as a signal or part of a design.
Do all "flares" emit light?
Most do, but "flare" can also refer to emotional bursts or expanding shapes.
Is "flair" always visible?
Not in a physical sense, but it's often perceived through actions or creations.
Is a "flare-up" a medical term?
It can be, referring to a sudden increase in the severity of symptoms.
Is "flare" always brief?
Typically, it refers to short-lived bursts or increases.
Can "flare" be a shape?
Yes, in fashion, it describes items that widen at the bottom.
Can you have a flair for something negative?
It's typically used in a positive context, but context can alter meaning.
Can "flare" be used in photography?
Yes, lens flare refers to a visual phenomenon caused by bright light.
Does "flair" change over time?
It can evolve, especially in terms of personal style or developed talents.
Can animals have "flair"?
It's usually reserved for human talents or style.
Is "flare" negative?
Not inherently, though context, like a "flare-up" of conflict, can imply negativity.
Can "flair" be taught?
While some flair is innate, aspects can be nurtured or developed.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
