Make Your Point > Archived Issues > PANACHE
Send Make Your Point issues straight to your inbox.
"PANACHE"
Pronunciation:
puh NASH (or "puh NOSH")
Part of speech:
Uncountable noun.
(Like “milk,” “rice,” and “education,” uncountable nouns are words for stuff that can’t be broken into exact units. You talk about “some milk,” “the rice,” and “a lot of education,” but you don’t say “a milk,” “three rices,” or “many educations.”
Likewise, talk about “the panache,” “such panache,” “a lot of panache,” “no panache,” and so on, but don’t say “panaches.”)
Meaning:
An actual panache is a plume of feathers.
And when people or things have panache, that means they have style that's grand and bold.
Other forms:
none
How to use it:
Say that people or things have panache (or that they show panache or do something with panache) when their style or behavior has such a bold flair that it reminds you of someone wearing a helmet with a bright tuft of feathers on top.
You can make it possessive ("his panache," "their panache," "its panache,") you can add an adjective ("powerful panache," "effortless panache,") and you can talk about panache just by itself ("The exhibit was okay, but it lacked panache.")
So, make your point with "panache," and you'll make your point with panache. :)
For a craft fair that charged admission, I was hoping for a little more panache and not the same old arrays of cloth purses and Hello Kitty notebooks.
Sure, "The Raven" is an overwritten, overly dramatic poem, but you can't dispute its otherworldly panache.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You'll know you understand what "panache" means when you can explain it without saying "swagger" or "verve."
Think of a performer you love to watch, and fill in the blanks: "__(Person)__ __(does something)__ with effortless panache."
Example: "Lindsey Stirling adds dancing to her violin performances with effortless panache."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don't go straight to the review now;let your working memory empty out first.
Playing With Words:
This month, we're reviewing recently featured words with some activities created with my favorite vocabulary software: Vocabulary Worksheet Factory, made by Schoolhouse Technologies. It's a simple, flexible program that lets you input word lists and definitions, then create customized, fun worksheets for review. We're starting off with very easy activities, then working our way toward harder reviews throughout the month.
From yesterday:
View
Answer:
View
Try this one today. It should seem moderately difficult:
View
A Point Well Made:
Henry Miller: "The wise man knows that every experience is to be viewed as a blessing."
1. The opposite of PANACHE is
A. COLORLESSNESS
B. HOPELESSNESS
C. UNFAIRNESS
2. The documentary was heavy on _____ but light on panache.
A. facts
B. gusto
C. pep
Answers are below.
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. A
"PANACHE" Pronunciation:
|