suave

adjective \ ˈswäv \

Updated on: 16 Nov 2017

Definition of suave

suaver; suavest

1 : smoothly though often superficially gracious and sophisticated

2 : smooth in texture, performance, or style

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suavely

adverb

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suaveness

noun

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suavity

play \ˈswä-və-tē\ noun

See suave defined for English-language learners

See suave defined for kids

Examples of suave in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of suave from the Web

Lewis brought out the suave crooner’s inner prankster, while Martin brought out Lewis’s musicality.

— gary susman, vanityfair.com, "Jerry Lewis, Comedic Force of Nature, Dies at 91," 20 Aug. 2017
Lewis brought out the suave crooner’s inner prankster, while Martin brought out Lewis’s musicality.

— gary susman, HWD, "Jerry Lewis, Comedic Force of Nature, Dies at 91," 20 Aug. 2017
Mr. Reynolds, for his part, is comfortable and credible as a smart, suave young punk in need of a bit of schooling.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard,’ With Samuel L. Jackson," 16 Aug. 2017
Sullivan elicits the suave personality of the silver-tongued attorney, but also imbues him with a tough guy persona.

— theodore p. mahne, NOLA.com, "Sharp dances drive JPAS' arresting production of 'Chicago'," 9 Oct. 2017
Robinson was among the millions observing the president’s startling performance, quite unlike anything ever seen from the cool, suave leader.

— steven levingston, Washington Post, "Before Trump vs. the NFL, there was Jackie Robinson vs. JFK," 24 Sep. 2017
So often, evil hides its face – seeks some measure of acceptance by ingratiating itself to the world with a suave personality or by operating out of sight.

— mark sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, "Sacrificing self in service to the world," 24 Sep. 2017
The Ivy Park cap is all suave athleisure in the front and all curly hair freedom in the back.

— amber rambharose, Glamour, "Bow Down: Beyoncé Just Made a Ball Cap That Works for Curly Hair," 8 Sep. 2017
And as if their appearance on the red carpet wasn't suave enough, George was spotted wearing a pair of Aviators, boarding a river taxi with Amal before the event: And the Clooneys looked so in love.

— amy mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "George and Amal Clooney Just Hit Their First Red Carpet Since the Twins Were Born," 2 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of suave

French, from Middle French, pleasant, sweet, from Latin suavis — more at sweet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1831

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suave Synonyms

Synonyms

debonair, smooth, sophisticated, svelte, urbane

Antonyms

boorish, churlish, classless, clownish, loutish, uncouth

Near Antonyms

awkward, clumsy, gauche, graceless, stiff, stilted, uncomfortable, uneasy, ungraceful, wooden; callow, green, inexperienced, puerile, raw; hick, parochial, provincial, rough-hewn, rustic (also rustical); inelegant, philistine, uncivilized, uncultured, unrefined; unsophisticated, unworldly; gawky, lubberly, stodgy, ungainly; diffident, insecure

Synonym Discussion of suave

suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered. suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.