suede

noun \ ˈswād \

variants: or less commonly suède

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of suede

1 : leather with a napped surface

2 : a fabric finished with a nap to simulate suede

See suede defined for English-language learners

See suede defined for kids

Recent Examples of suede from the Web

Her heels were olive suede pumps from Manolo Blahnik.

— hannah yasharoff, USA TODAY, "All the details on Duchess Meghan's week of flawless fashion," 12 July 2018
Lee has some very big woven intrecciato suede leather driving shoes to fill.

— Vogue, "The 11 Menswear Moments That Mattered From the Spring 2019 Season," 26 June 2018
Bella grounded the bright hue with a tan suede moto jacket and matching furry slides.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Bella Thorne Wore Matching Orange Flares and Tube Top," 22 May 2018
Made from soft suede, the shoe is slip-on for easy on and off.

— the editors, Outside Online, "Seven Steals at Huckberry’s Summer Sale," 12 July 2018
Meghan ditched the fascinator this time around and instead simply accessorized with a brown Strathberry bag, Vanessa Tugendhaft earrings, and tan suede pumps.

— marina liao, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Paid Homage to Ireland in a Green Givenchy Outfit," 10 July 2018
Scored by Donnie Darko, Daft Punk, and REM, models took to the runway in giant trapper hats, mixed prints, embellished tights, and lots of suede.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Prada’s Last Runway Was a Star-Studded Ode to the ’90s," 7 May 2018
Additionally, the MDX A-Spec includes red or black leather seats with faux-suede inserts and a thicker steering-wheel rim relative to the unit in the standard MDX.

— greg fink, Car and Driver, "Joining the A-Team: Acura MDX Adds Sporty A-Spec Trim for 2019," 28 Mar. 2018
Cruelty-free brand Stella McCartney’s black Eclypse sneaker is constructed from alternative calf, alternative micro suede and neoprene and features a rubber sole made from renewable sources.

— sari anne tuschman, latimes.com, "Summer style: Designer sneakers continue to be a major status symbol for the fashion-minded shopper," 21 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of suede

French gants de Suède Swedish gloves

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1883

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

suede

verb

Definition of suede

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

Recent Examples of suede from the Web

The signature suede classic and limited shades of the pointe flat can also be made to measure starting at $275.

— nerissa pacio itchon, San Francisco Chronicle, "Margaux pop-up elevates flats for SF women," 1 Feb. 2018
BUY NOW: Suede penny loafers ($625) by Tod's, mrporter.com For Bad Scuffs, Use a Knife Scuffs on suede are generally nothing more than a spot on the grain that has gotten too matted down.

— scott christian, Esquire, "The Right Way to Keep Your Suede Shoes Clean," 9 Aug. 2017