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.