savoir-faire
[sav-wahr-fair; French sa-vwar-fer]
- knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact.
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Origin of savoir-faire
1805–15; < French: literally, knowing how to do
Synonyms
See more synonyms for savoir-faire on Thesaurus.comadaptability, adroitness, diplomacy, discernment, skill, ability.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
savoir-faire
- the ability to do the right thing in any situation
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Word Origin
French, literally: a knowing how to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for savoir faire
savoir-faire
n.
"instinctive knowledge of the right course of action in any circumstance," 1815, from French, literally "to know (how) to do," from savoir "to know" (from Latin sapere; see sapient) + faire (from Latin facere; see factitious). French also has savoir-vivre "ability in good society; knowledge of customs in the world."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
savoir faire
[(sav-wahr fair)]
Ease and dexterity in social and practical affairs: “Peter is a friendly person, but he lacks the savoir faire required for a successful career in the foreign service.” From French, meaning “to know how to act.”
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The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.