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

Example Sentences

Dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and brown suede cowboy boots, Batson elaborates on his idea about genre.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 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

Australian label Aje's catwalk was full of delightful fringed pieces, whilst Balmain's models graced the runway with huge, suede messenger bags.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

Above, the microfiber suede headliner stops only for the immensity of the glass roof.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

I don’t look much at the towers though, or the people passing me in their fashionable getups, imports, handcrafted leather, suede, whatever.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood