Flare vs. Flair

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Understanding the difference between commonly confused words will help you avoid making errors in English usage. Let’s examine the difference between the following:

flare

A flare is a sudden burst of bright light or intense emotion, or a device producing intense light that is used as a signal. It can also refer to a widening, the way a trumpet’s bell flares at the end. As a verb, flare means to burst out in sudden activity, intensity, or passion, or to widen at one end. An illness can flare up, which means to recur unexpectedly.

The crew of the disabled boat set off a flare gun to attract help.
A solar flare is visible during this eclipse.

flair

Flair means an outstanding aptitude, knack, or talent, or a smart and original style.

Olivia had always had a flair for languages, so had no problem learning Spanish in a short time.
This young woman dresses with flair.

Photo credits:

Photo 1: Image by A Owen from Pixabay

Photo 2: Image by Mihai Paraschiv from Pixabay