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adj

debonair

deh-buh-NAIR

Debonair (adj) means Charming, confident, and elegantly dressed, especially of a man. Example: “He arrived looking debonair in a tailored dinner jacket.”

adj
1
Charming, confident, and elegantly dressed, especially of a man.
"He arrived looking debonair in a tailored dinner jacket."
"The old films always cast him as the debonair spy."

How to use debonair

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSmooth, stylish, and self-assured — the old-fashioned word for someone effortlessly charming.

Common pairings
debonair charm a debonair gentleman

Word forms

more debonair comparative, most debonair superlative

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He arrived looking _____ in a tailored dinner jacket.

Etymology

From Old French de bon aire, literally "of good stock" or "of good breeding."

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for debonair

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Frequently asked questions

What does “debonair” mean?

The word “debonair” means charming, confident, and elegantly dressed, especially of a man. In plain terms, smooth, stylish, and self-assured — the old-fashioned word for someone effortlessly charming.

How do you pronounce “debonair”?

“Debonair” is pronounced deh-buh-NAIR (/dɛbəˈnɛɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “debonair” in a sentence?

Here is “debonair” used in a sentence: “He arrived looking debonair in a tailored dinner jacket.”

What part of speech is “debonair”?

“Debonair” is an adjective.

Where does the word “debonair” come from?

The word “debonair” comes from Old French. From Old French de bon aire, literally "of good stock" or "of good breeding.".

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial