adj
suave
swahv
Suave (adj) means Charming, smooth-mannered, and confident, sometimes in a way that feels a little too polished to be trusted. Example: “The suave waiter recommended the most expensive wine on the list.”
adj
1
Charming, smooth-mannered, and confident, sometimes in a way that feels a little too polished to be trusted.
"The suave waiter recommended the most expensive wine on the list."
"He had a suave, effortless way of talking to strangers."
How to use suave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSmooth, charming, and self-assured — often with a hint that the charm is a bit calculated.
Common pairings
suave manner
suave charm
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Word forms
- Plural
- suaves
- Comparative
- suaver
- Superlative
- suavest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ waiter recommended the most expensive wine on the list.
Etymology
From Latin suavis ("sweet, pleasant"), the same root that gives English "sweet" — first used in English in the early 1400s.
Class of 1400
suave joined the language around 1400.
See the full Class of 1400 →
Related words
Rhymes for suave
See all rhymes for suave →Frequently asked questions
What does “suave” mean?
The word “suave” means charming, smooth-mannered, and confident, sometimes in a way that feels a little too polished to be trusted. In plain terms, smooth, charming, and self-assured — often with a hint that the charm is a bit calculated.
How do you pronounce “suave”?
“Suave” is pronounced swahv (/swɑv/ in IPA).
How do you use “suave” in a sentence?
Here is “suave” used in a sentence: “The suave waiter recommended the most expensive wine on the list.”
What part of speech is “suave”?
“Suave” is an adjective.
Where does the word “suave” come from?
The word “suave” dates back to around 1400 and comes from Latin. From Latin suavis ("sweet, pleasant"), the same root that gives English "sweet" — first used in English in the early 1400s.
