suave

/swɑv/

/swɑv/

Other forms: suavest; suaver

To be suave is to be smooth, polite, and a little bit cool. Men can be suave and debonair, especially the ones riding horses on the covers of romance novels.

Suave is from the Latin word suavis which means "agreeable." To be suave is still to be agreeable — a suave person knows how to work the room, and you might want to appear suave and sophisticated when you meet your sweetie's parents. Although it's an old fashioned compliment, suave has morphed into something meaning a little bit cheesy.

Definitions of suave

1. adjective

   having a sophisticated charm
   synonyms: debonair, debonaire, debonnaire

   refined

   (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel
2. adjective

   smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication
   synonyms: bland, politic, smooth

   diplomatic, diplomatical

   using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people