ELAN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does elan mean? 

• ELAN (noun)
  The noun ELAN has 3 senses:

1. a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

2. distinctive and stylish elegance

3. enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness

  Familiarity information: ELAN used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ELAN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Synonyms:

ardor; ardour; elan; zeal

Context example:

he felt a kind of religious zeal

Hypernyms ("elan" is a kind of...):

avidity; avidness; eagerness; keenness (a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Distinctive and stylish elegance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

dash; elan; flair; panache; style

Context example:

he wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer

Hypernyms ("elan" is a kind of...):

elegance (a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

a performance of great elan and sophistication

Hypernyms ("elan" is a kind of...):

life; liveliness; spirit; sprightliness (animation and energy in action or expression)