suede

1 of 2

noun

ˈswād How to pronounce suede (audio)
variants or less commonly suède
Synonyms of suedenext
1
: leather with a napped surface
2
: a fabric finished with a nap to simulate suede

suede

2 of 2

verb

sueded; sueding

transitive verb

: to give a suede finish or nap to (a fabric or leather)

intransitive verb

: to give cloth or leather a suede finish

Examples of suede in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
For the woman who prioritizes comfort without sacrificing style, there are the house’s Orbit sneakers in sumptuous suede and shearling. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026 Next time, buy a brown suede leather jacket instead of a glossy black one, or pick out a pair of taupe rather than black pants. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026 The shoes are available in suede, patent leather, lace, wool, organza and more, and are available in an array of colors and heel heights. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Our tip to styling this trend for a more modern ensemble is to mix yummy textures (like buttery suedes, sleek silks, and soft shearlings), as seen in the collections of Altuzarra, Bottega Veneta, and Khaite. — InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suede

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French gants de Suède Swedish gloves

First Known Use

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1921, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of suede was in 1883

Rhymes for suede

See All Rhymes for suede

Browse Nearby Words

Sue
suede
sue for damages
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suede.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suede. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

suede

noun
variants also suède
ˈswād
1
: leather rubbed on one side to produce a velvety surface
2
: a cloth fabric that looks and feels like suede
Etymology

Noun

from French gants de Suède "Swedish gloves," from Suède "Sweden"

More from Merriam-Webster on suede

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for suede

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about suede

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