suave
adjective
ˈswäv 
suaver; suavest
1
: smoothly though often superficially gracious and sophisticated
2
: smooth in texture, performance, or style
suavely adverb
suaveness noun
suavity
ˈswä-və-tē
noun 
Synonyms
- debonair
- smooth
- sophisticated
- svelte
- urbane
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I am pleased, also, to think I pulled it off. I didn't do anything too stupid or gauche, and even though it was my first time at a spa, I managed to bluff my way through in a suitably suave, urbane fashion without any embarrassing social gaffes. 
Will Ferguson, Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw, 2004 When she had been Miss Tampa, a suave major leaguer had courted her till she found out he was married, with children. Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 19 Mar. 2001 Bobby gets a lot of tough love at home. As suave and polite as he seems to outsiders, he has "two personalities," says his stepmother Wille. "He's a con artist." His parents kicked him out of the house in August, trying to scare him after he came home drunk at 5 a. m. Stacy Perman, Time, 25 Oct. 1999 a suave and sophisticated businessman the suave gentleman was a great favorite of the elegant ladies who attended parties at the embassy
Will Ferguson, Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw, 2004 When she had been Miss Tampa, a suave major leaguer had courted her till she found out he was married, with children. Frank Deford, Sports Illustrated, 19 Mar. 2001 Bobby gets a lot of tough love at home. As suave and polite as he seems to outsiders, he has "two personalities," says his stepmother Wille. "He's a con artist." His parents kicked him out of the house in August, trying to scare him after he came home drunk at 5 a. m. Stacy Perman, Time, 25 Oct. 1999 a suave and sophisticated businessman the suave gentleman was a great favorite of the elegant ladies who attended parties at the embassy Recent Examples on the Web Just how suave and cool is Saint Joe Burrow?Our patron saint of football found his way to Columbus this past weekend for UFC Fight Night and went viral for his appearance at the event. James Sprague, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2022 The pairing of the ultra-suave Bond, played at the time by Sean Connery, and the elegant grand tourer was a match made in spy heaven. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2021 Elsewhere, Fabiola’s season-long crisis between her love of nerdy things and her desire to impress her super-suave girlfriend comes to a satisfying conclusion. Abby Govindan, Vulture, 24 July 2021 At the end of the film, Long throws Sam a surprise quinceañera and wows the guests with his shockingly suave Latin dance moves. Carlos Greaves, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2021 Well, not that old and still quite suave and dashing. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020 Meanwhile, Shiloh looked suave in a zip-up jacket with faded gold and silver stripes running horizontally, and paired the jacket with classic trousers. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Oct. 2019 In one clip, Stamos channeled suave Uncle Jesse to fix his hair. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2020 Thomas Rhett is known for his singalong-worthy songs, dynamic live performances, and, of course, for his suave appearance and good looks. Natalie Schumann, Country Living, 5 Apr. 2020 See More
James Sprague, The Enquirer, 29 Mar. 2022 The pairing of the ultra-suave Bond, played at the time by Sean Connery, and the elegant grand tourer was a match made in spy heaven. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2021 Elsewhere, Fabiola’s season-long crisis between her love of nerdy things and her desire to impress her super-suave girlfriend comes to a satisfying conclusion. Abby Govindan, Vulture, 24 July 2021 At the end of the film, Long throws Sam a surprise quinceañera and wows the guests with his shockingly suave Latin dance moves. Carlos Greaves, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2021 Well, not that old and still quite suave and dashing. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2020 Meanwhile, Shiloh looked suave in a zip-up jacket with faded gold and silver stripes running horizontally, and paired the jacket with classic trousers. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 Oct. 2019 In one clip, Stamos channeled suave Uncle Jesse to fix his hair. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2020 Thomas Rhett is known for his singalong-worthy songs, dynamic live performances, and, of course, for his suave appearance and good looks. Natalie Schumann, Country Living, 5 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
French, from Middle French, pleasant, sweet, from Latin suavis — more at sweet
First Known Use
1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1
suaveness
noun
as in suavity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- suavity
- gracefulness
- gentility
- poise
- grace
- diplomacy
- charm
- gallantry
- tact
- tactfulness
- sensitivity
- thoughtfulness
- graciousness
- finesse
- manners
- considerateness
- politeness
- courteousness
- etiquette
- savoir faire
- consideration
- dexterity
- civility
- courtesy
- deftness
- adroitness
- deference
- delicacy
- mannerliness
- respect
- regard
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- awkwardness
- gracelessness
- indelicacy
- gaucheness
- brashness
- inconsiderateness
- impoliteness
- maladroitness
- boorishness
- loutishness
- thoughtlessness
- discourtesy
- inconsideration
- impoliteness
- ungraciousness
- incivility
- rudeness
- impudence
- discourteousness
- disregard
- tactlessness
- brassiness
- clumsiness
- disrespect
- insolence
- impertinence
- insensitivity
- disrespectfulness