nubuck

noun

nu·​buck ˈn(y)ü-ˌbək How to pronounce nubuck (audio)
Synonyms of nubucknext
often attributive
: a soft sueded leather

Examples of nubuck in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Getting into the finer points of the mixed-material sneakers, each pair combines a soft nubuck toe with a textured luxury leather designed to mimic Louis Vuitton’s signature epi leather. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 June 2026 Kim wore a brown nubuck jacket (a more durable alternative to suede, yet still a bit fussy) with a glossy, orange-red patent leather pencil skirt. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Feb. 2026 Leather, suede, nubuck, and designer sneakers should always be cleaned by hand to avoid warping, fading, or permanent damage. Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025 This gift set includes a foaming cleanser, a brush, a hog hair brush, and a microfiber towel that are gentle enough to keep suede, leather, nubuck, and canvas pristine. Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nubuck

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from nu- (alteration of new entry 1) + buck entry 1

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nubuck was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Nubuck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nubuck. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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