Word
elan
/ˈiɫən/
Definition
n. a style of doing something with great energy, confidence, and excitement. It describes a person who has a lot of spirit and flair.
n. an enthusiastic and stylish vigour or spirit. Often used to describe a performance or a person's general manner of action.
Examples
“She played the piano with great elan.”
“The young chef managed the busy kitchen with such elan that the guests stopped to watch him work.”
“The director's latest film lacks the elan of his earlier masterpieces, which were celebrated for their daring visual style and rhythmic energy.”
Examples
simple
“She played the piano with great elan.”
contextual
“The young chef managed the busy kitchen with such elan that the guests stopped to watch him work.”
complex
“The director's latest film lacks the elan of his earlier masterpieces, which were celebrated for their daring visual style and rhythmic energy.”
Usage
Often follows the preposition 'with'.
Real-World Examples
“She would never mention the arrival of a migraine, but celebrates its passing with elan, an everywoman putting on a brave face in preference to existential despair.” “Compare this to Celtic's elan and fluidity the night before.” Scan code
englishreference.com/q/elan