flair, flare

Do not confuse the word flair, spelled f-l-a-i-r, and flare, spelled f-l-a-r-e. These are not interchangeable.

The word flair, spelled f-l-a-i-r, means an instinctive skill or ability. Examples:

  • They have a flair for design.
  • She has a flair for poetry.
  • He has a flair for color.

The word flare, spelled f-l-a-r-e, means a fire, a blaze, or a burst. Use this also when speaking of an uptick of disease or symptoms.

  • Her lupus flares during the summer and in periods of stress.
  • Although the firefighters thought they had the forest fire under control, there was another flare.
  • Thank goodness we had flares in our car after the accident.

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