Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

suave

American  
[swahv] / swɑv /

adjective

suaver, suavest

  1. (of persons or their manner, speech, etc.) smoothly agreeable or polite; agreeably or blandly urbane.

    Synonyms:
    worldly, sophisticated
suave British  
/ ˈswɑːvɪtɪ, swɑːv /

adjective

  1. (esp of a man) displaying smoothness and sophistication in manner or attitude; urbane

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • suavely adverb
  • suaveness noun
  • suavity noun

Etymology

Origin of suave

1495–1505; < French < Latin suāvis sweet

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.

Leaning back in his chair, in a suave, all-beige outfit, he starts to grin while recounting his day in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

There is something especially suave about an ace skier.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

In Japan, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had the option of choosing a suave political moderate in Shinjiro Koizumi to lead it into the next election.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 5, 2025

“Malagueña” communicated experience and rico suave flair to his audience.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025

He was more charming, more suave than ever, saying things to make everyone laugh.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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.