savoir faire

noun

Definition of savoir fairenext
as in charm
formal the ability to behave in a correct and confident way in different situations I admire her sophistication and savoir faire. He handled the problem with his usual savoir faire.

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word savoir faire different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of savoir faire are address, poise, and tact. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

When would address be a good substitute for savoir faire?

While the synonyms address and savoir faire are close in meaning, address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

When is it sensible to use poise instead of savoir faire?

The words poise and savoir faire are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When can tact be used instead of savoir faire?

Although the words tact and savoir faire have much in common, tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of savoir faire But the heart of his practice remains his own sybaritic spirit, expressed through the medium of old-school decorator savoir faire. —The Editors Of Ad, Architectural Digest, 3 Dec. 2025 Instead, its reputation is built upon understated luxury, minimalist aesthetics, and a strong focus on skill and savoir faire, Clark explained. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025 This heritage comes in handy for a European luxury goods giant hoping to merge savoir faire with Made in the USA. —Maghan McDowell, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025 Somewhere in there, Noel Coward shows up—he’s played, with suitable louche savoir faire, by Arty Froushan. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for savoir faire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savoir faire
  1. charm
  2. sensitivity
  3. gallantry
  4. grace
  5. manners
  6. gracefulness
  7. courtesy
Noun
  • Yet once inside, the venue is undeniably a tribute to the all-American charm the label is so synonymous with.
    — Nick Remsen, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
  • However, the range has expanded over the years to incorporate mixed-metal designs, such as yellow gold chain necklaces with resin charms and minimalist statement earrings made from silver or gold-plated brass.
    — Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of charm
Noun
  • When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.
    — Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But the price sensitivity of consumers for weight loss drugs remains a big unknown, which makes greater volumes and more access points important.
    — Annika Kim Constantino,Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.
    — James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Definition of gallantry
Noun
  • Because in order to remain in the president’s good graces, his Cabinet officers need to please him by relitigating the 2020 election.
    — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Feb. 2026
  • The family’s confidants, real and imagined, insist on both their normalcy and their otherworldly grace.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of grace
Noun
  • The fancy men are very rude to Tristan, which is terrible manners and therefore very UN-fancy, but Charlotte likes him.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.
    — Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of manners
Noun
  • In those moments, though, there's just a gracefulness in the world.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Feb. 2025
Definition of gracefulness
Noun
  • For those gray, dreary Berlin February days, the Berlinale this year is offering a colorful fever dream of a cinematic antidote courtesy of Pakistan.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Reviews from most of the out-of-town papers mostly arrived courtesy of the clipping service.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of courtesy

Browse Nearby Words

saviors
savoir faire
savor
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Cite this Entry

“Savoir faire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savoir%20faire. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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