savoir faire

sa·voir faire | \ ˌsav-ˌwär-ˈfer

How to pronounce savoir faire (audio)

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Definition of savoir faire

: capacity for appropriate action especially : a polished sureness in social behavior

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Choose the Right Synonym for savoir faire

tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate. questions showing a lack of tact 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 poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations. answered the accusations with unruffled poise 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

Examples of savoir faire in a Sentence

I admire her sophistication and savoir faire. He handled the problem with his usual savoir faire.

Recent Examples on the Web And then, in 1959, one that merged that expertise with its savoir faire in high jewelry. — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, "Stellene’s Most Wanted: Piaget," 6 Dec. 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 The annual Waiters-Waitresses Race at 3 p.m. Sunday will feature servers competing in a test of speed and savoir faire. — Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The bands, the run, the Hop stop and everything else you need to know for Bastille Days in Milwaukee," 8 July 2019 Every designer was given the opportunity to create an item in collaboration with one of the 12 Chanel Maisons d’Art, famous for their French savoir faire. — Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, "The Festival d’Hyères’s Top Prize Goes to a Young Austrian Whose Focus Is Upcycling," 29 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'savoir faire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

17 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Savoir faire.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savoir%20faire. Accessed 27 January 2020.

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