Panache is a confident, stylish way of doing things that makes you stand out. When someone does something with panache, they do it with flair and self-assurance that makes people notice and admire them.

Picture a figure skater who lands a difficult jump and finishes with a flourish, arms spread wide and a bright smile. That's panache. Or imagine a student giving a presentation who walks to the front of the room with confident energy, makes eye contact with the class, and delivers their speech with clear enthusiasm. They're sharing information with style and verve.

The word comes from a French word for a decorative plume of feathers worn on helmets, the kind of bold ornament that made a knight impossible to miss on the battlefield. Today, panache describes that same kind of bold, eye-catching confidence in how someone acts or performs.

Having panache means combining skill with showmanship. A chef might plate a dish with panache, adding an artistic swirl of sauce. A soccer player might score with panache, celebrating with an acrobatic flip. Panache is what separates merely doing something well from doing it with memorable, confident style.