Virginia Postrel

From the days of biplanes and silk scarves, the aviator has been the archetype of masculine glamour. Aviators have personified national ideals, from French elan to Soviet party discipline. They've inspired lust and admiration. They've turned sunglasses and short, utilitarian leather jackets into fashion statements.

American Writer

Charles Hazlewood

Purcell is a composer who had a formative influence on British music - even The Who now cite him as an influence. There's an intense, dirty harmony, but there's a Louis XIV kind of elan and style, too. He had the melancholy DNA of our national folk heritage.

British Musician

Charles Bukowski

I have not worked out my poems with a careful will, falling rather on haphazard and blind formulation of wordage, a more flowing concept, in a hope for a more new and lively path. I do personalize at times, but this only for the grace and elan of the dance.

American Author

Sathyapriya

Whatever role was offered to me, I adapted well and did it with elan. A vamp's role is challenging, but a mother's role is comparatively easy.

Indian Actress

Rory Kinnear

I always loved acting - though what I did in my teens was probably more eclat than elan. But I wasn't sure about doing it professionally.

English Actor

Tom Brokaw

Peter, of the three of us, was our prince. He seemed so timeless. He had such elan and style.

American Journalist

Elan usually carries a positive connotation, implying one has a lively energy and confidence.

Positive Energy

Elan can suggest a degree of sophistication or cultured elegance in behavior or style.

Cultural Sophistication

Using 'elan' in casual conversation may feel out of place; it's more common in formal or written English.

Informal Usage

 but also laughable and comic ridicule helps correct it. The comic is a kinetic, vital force, or elan vital, that helps us adapt. Bergson elaborates on this idea to study what's funny about all sorts of things. But let's stay on this.