suede

American  

[sweyd] / sweɪd /

Or suède

noun

1. kid or other leather finished with a soft, napped surface, on the flesh side or on the outer side after removal of a thin outer layer.

2. Also called suede cloth.  a fabric with a napped surface suggesting this.

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verb (used with object)

sueded, sueding

1. to treat so as to raise a nap on (leather, cloth, etc.).

verb (used without object)

sueded, sueding

1. to raise a nap on leather, cloth, etc.

suede British  

/ sweɪd /

noun

1. 1. a leather finished with a fine velvet-like nap, usually on the flesh side of the skin or hide, produced by abrasive action

   2. ( as modifier )

      a suede coat

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Etymology

Origin of suede

1855–60; < French ( gants de ) Suède (gloves from) Sweden

Explanation

Suede is a soft, velvety kind of leather. If you're anything like Elvis Presley, you're fond of your blue suede shoes and would prefer that people don't step on them. Suede is made from leather that's been rubbed to create a nap, or a slightly fuzzy texture. The softer underside of leather is generally used to make suede. Shoes, furniture, gloves, bags, and many other products are commonly made from suede, or from material that's made to look like suede. The word comes from the French phrase gants de Suède, or literally "gloves from Sweden."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

suede sueded

Those not in the know might faint at the prices—$4,600 for a cashmere-and-silk sweater, $11,800 for a suede jacket—but sticker shock hasn’t dampened sales.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

The first lady wore a pale delphinium pink silk strapless gown by Christian Dior Haute Couture, with off-white Dior suede gloves.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

I’d swapped handbags for the season — a slouchy straw tote with a teak handle traded for a forest-green suede pouch — and my wallet, apparently, hadn’t gotten the memo.

From Salon ● Dec. 28, 2025

Lizzie Osorio remembers customers flooding Lion Boots in early May, browsing embroidered shoes and tasseled suede dresses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2025

MoMo hopped onto the conference room table where everyone could have a better view of his platform blue suede shoes.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Dinamica, a sueded fabric made from recycled plastic bottles and clothing fibers, covers seats.

From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2020

The collection features fabrics from sueded synthetics to laundered cottons in colors ranging from sun drenched mid-tones to sultry brights.

From Time Magazine Archive

A Beaded Bikini, made from chamois skin to wick moisture and dry quickly, and the Kick Pant, a lightweight, breathable, chamois skin lounge pant that features a sueded draw cord with bead detail.

From Time Magazine Archive

Also included in the spring 2006 sportswear line are shorts and casual pants in sueded twills, enzyme washed dobbies and yarn dye plaids.

From Time Magazine Archive