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

White leather then serves as the base with black suede used for the collar and the rest of the overlays, Swoosh included. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 June 2026

The best suede brunette is at once smoky and warm, with a finish as sumptuous as your go-to thrifted jacket. —Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 17 June 2026

Even the main stairway has been carefully considered, with wooden blocks wrapped in soft handmade suede. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

The cork footbeds on these suede toe-ring sandals gives them a moderate amount of arch support to keep your feet comfortable while sightseeing in a new city or running errands at home. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 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"