je ne sais quoi

noun

: something (such as an appealing quality) that cannot be adequately described or expressed
a young actress who has a certain je ne sais quoi

Examples of je ne sais quoi in a Sentence

Although the sculpture had flaws, it also had a certain je ne sais quoi that made it very appealing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The city has captured the hearts of travelers of centuries for its innate elegance and beauty, along with that ineffable je ne sais quoi. Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025 McLaughlin appears to have had a bit part in a movie with soon-to-be-Hagrid Nick Frost, whereas Stout very clearly has that Weasley je ne sais quoi, if a still photo is to be trusted. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 May 2025 That could be the unseen details added to that je ne sais quoi of a jewel, like the polishing done on edges never meant to be visible — except to another jeweler who might one day service the piece. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 26 May 2025 For any room that lacks a little je ne sais quoi, look no further than Pierce & Ward’s new collection for West Elm. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for je ne sais quoi

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, I know not what

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of je ne sais quoi was circa 1656

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Je ne sais quoi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/je%20ne%20sais%20quoi. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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