adj.
Pronunciation: ' swäv
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: suav · er ; -est
Etymology: French, from Middle French, pleasant, sweet, from Latin suavis ― more at SWEET
Date: 1831
1 : smoothly though often superficially gracious and sophisticated
2 : smooth in texture, performance, or style
– suave · ly adverb
– suave · ness noun
– sua · vi · ty \ ' swä-v ə -t ē \ noun
synonyms SUAVE , URBANE , DIPLOMATIC , BLAND , SMOOTH , POLITIC mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered. SUAVE suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction <a suave public relations coordinator>. URBANE implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience <an urbane traveler>. DIPLOMATIC stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully <a diplomatic negotiator>. BLAND emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities <a bland master of ceremonies>. SMOOTH suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity <a smooth salesman>. POLITIC implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people <a cunningly politic manager>.