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 notesIn plain EnglishSmooth, stylish, and self-assured — the old-fashioned word for someone effortlessly charming.
Common pairings
debonair charm
a debonair gentleman
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more debonair
- Superlative
- most debonair
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He arrived looking _____ in a tailored dinner jacket.
Etymology
From Old French de bon aire, literally "of good stock" or "of good breeding."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for debonair
See all rhymes for debonair →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.".
