1805–15; < French: literally, knowing how to do
Your savoir-faire is your social smoothness. It will serve you well at parties and on the first day at a new school. As with so many French words that have English cousins, the French version somehow retains an edge of sophistication over its counterpart. The nearest English equivalent of savoir-faire is know-how. But while know-how pertains to nearly all skills, especially practical ones, savoir-faire usually refers specifically to skill in social and diplomatic situations.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To his eternal credit, Suga Free’s technical complexity, comic timing and mid-song impressions make him so inimitable that few ever attempt to copy his savoir-faire.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2023
"Our reputation is at stake. That is why we must unite all our knowledge, our efforts, our savoir-faire to achieve this goal."
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2023
An institution near rue Mouffetard, La Tuile à Loup cultivates beauty by preserving the savoir-faire of traditional artisans in the countryside.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2021
For those who aspire to be guardians and stewards of French savoir-faire, what better way to prove it?
From New York Times ● Apr. 16, 2019
He was painfully aware that he lacked the ecclesiastical aplomb and savoir-faire that enabled so many of his colleagues in other faiths and sects to get ahead.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
The Spanish champions have the experience, the savoir faire, the heritage, the money time mentality and the talent.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2024
Yes, it’s exactly what you might imagine: a 70-minute, in-theaters-only compilation reel of videos involving cats knocking things over, falling into things and facing obstacles with catly savoir faire.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 17, 2023
Growing up, Mukarram showed a strange mix of savoir faire and ineptitude.
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2023
James, pillow-lipped and constitutionally ebullient, never manages to play a convincing mouse, and Hammer signifies his savoir faire by smoking cigarettes and dispensing clipped orders to underlings.
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2020
There was something so distressing, so pathetic about her embarrassment; not a modicum of savoir faire or bluff to help her out.
From My Actor-Husband A true story of American stage life by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
