savoir-vivre
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of savoir-vivre
1745–55; < French: literally, knowing how to live
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The city’s contradictory charms, as they are wryly termed, its fabled mix of savoir-vivre and absolute crumminess, remain in good supply.
From New York Times • May 20, 2011
To my knowledge savoir-vivre cannot be learned; you either have it or you don't.
From Time Magazine Archive
We have not seen flair and savoir-vivre like his in any of our leaders since John F. Kennedy.
From Time Magazine Archive
The court had “knowledge of the world” now: it had the fruits of achievement, civilization, savoir-vivre, gossip, fashion, malice, and the broad mind of scandal.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
There was nothing oppressive or ostentatious in the attentions he received, but just the cordiality, grace, and charm of an old-established society of most refined traditions, perfect savoir-vivre, and chronic hospitality.
From Lippincott's Magazine, August, 1885 by Various
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.
