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élan

noun
\ ā-ˈläⁿ How to pronounce élan (audio) \

Definition of élan

: vigorous spirit or enthusiasm
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Did You Know?

Once upon a time, English speakers did not have "élan" (the word, that is; that's not to say we haven't always had potential for vigorous spirit). We had, however, "elance," a verb meaning "to hurl" that was used specifically for throwing lances and darts. "Elance" derived down the line from Middle French (s')eslancer ("to rush or dash"), itself from lancer, meaning "to hurl." With the decline of lance-throwing, we tossed out "elance" a century and half ago. Just about that time we found "élan," a noun that traces to "(s')eslancer." We copied "élan" in form from the French, but we dispensed with the French sense of a literal "rush" or "dash," retaining the sense of enthusiastic animation that we sometimes characterize as "dash."

Examples of élan in a Sentence

The dancer performed with great élan.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Kent typically played the game with the joy and elan of a state highway patrolman – mustache and all – yet something remarkable happened on this night. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Opinion: From Big Papi to 'big brother,' David Ortiz's baseball impact a true love affair," 10 June 2019 But Gallatin cut with an elan that would have pleased Paul Ryan. — Roger Lowenstein, WSJ, "‘Jefferson’s Treasure’ Review: Penny-Pincher in Chief," 19 Aug. 2018 At Marvel, Lee brought jazzy verve with his dialogue, Kirby a promethean cosmic imagination, and Ditko an idiosyncratic visual elan. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, is dead.," 7 July 2018 While champagne is always appropriate for a Royal Wedding watch, cocktails provide a certain elan that's appropriately British. — Greg Morago, Houston Chronicle, "5 cocktails for your Royal Wedding watch party," 18 May 2018 When given good and specific performances to play off of — like FitzGerald's unreadable and weary wisdom or Daniyar's broadly played ethnic elan — Purnell radiates a receptiveness that works despite Tess barely having characteristics of her own. — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Sweetbitter': TV Review | Tribeca 2018," 27 Apr. 2018 Paired with oversized Swarovski jewels and a punky new hair cut [link to beauty story], her latest outfit lends Parisienne elan a new attitude. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Marion Cotillard Delivers French Girl Futurism in Balmain," 16 Jan. 2018 The View UpStairs’’ in the smaller confines of the Plaza Theatre rather than the company’s customary space at the Roberts Studio Theatre, Daigneault’s direction lacks his usual elan. — Don Aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "In ‘The View UpStairs,’ a prelude to tragedy at a ’70s gay bar," 10 June 2019 Kent typically played the game with the joy and elan of a state highway patrolman – mustache and all – yet something remarkable happened on this night. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, "Opinion: From Big Papi to 'big brother,' David Ortiz's baseball impact a true love affair," 10 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'élan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of élan

1864, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for élan

French, from Middle French eslan rush, from (s')eslancer to rush, from ex- + lancer to hurl — more at lance

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More Definitions for élan

élan

noun
How to pronounce élan (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of élan

literary : energy and enthusiasm

See the full definition for élan in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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