suede

1 of 2

noun

ˈswād 

variants or less commonly suède

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

Noun

So named for Kate Hudson’s character in Almost Famous, the Penny Lane coat often has light or dark brown suede fabric, but its most defining characteristic is the fur (faux, hopefully) around the collar, cuffs, and hem. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026

The denim pieces are complemented with easy layering pieces like funnel-neck suede jacket, a raglan-sleeve cardigan and ’90s boatneck tees and relaxed T-shirts. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 2026

The shoe is rendered entirely in black, swapping its Kevlar weave for suede. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026

Lumeheel Knee-High Boots Suede is bigger than ever this year, so of course these (faux) suede boots had to make my list. —Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 11 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for suede

• aid
• aide
• bade
• blade
• braid
• clade
• dade
• fade
• flayed
• fraid
• frayed
• gade

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"