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je ne sais quoi

[ zhuh nuh se kwa ]

noun

, French.
  1. an indefinable, elusive quality, especially a pleasing one:

    She has a certain je ne sais quoi that charms everybody.



je ne sais quoi

/ ʒənsekwa /

noun

  1. an indefinable quality, esp of personality


je ne sais quoi

  1. That little something; a quality that eludes description: “The Mona Lisa 's smile has a certain je ne sais quoi.” From French, meaning “I don't know what.”


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Word History and Origins

Origin of je ne sais quoi1

Literally, “I don't know what”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of je ne sais quoi1

literally: I don't know what

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Example Sentences

Just in time for Paris Fashion Week, a new book, Paris Street Style, offers tips on how to acheive that certain je ne sais quoi.

In order to maintain that certain je ne sais quoi, a guido must always remain fresh and mint.

She never finishes her soup and she wears a toweling robe with a certain je ne sais quoi.

But you shall be called by an English name, if you wish, though to my mind there's a je ne sais quoi about the French.

Because the baggage has a pert je ne sais quoi; she reads plays, keeps a monkey, and is troubled with vapours.

And not one has the beginnings of the polished charm of manner, the fire of glance, the je ne sais quoi of Mrs. Hunt Maclean.

In pair-oar rowing there is needed a je-ne-sais-quoi sort of mutual concession of style.

Besides, you have a je ne sais quoi that will prevent the world from laughing, but if you continue you will have nothing.

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