suede

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noun \ ˈswād \

variants: or less commonly suède

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

Seats are a fitted black leather and suede with white and green stitching, which carries over to the dash and harkens back to that green and white four-leaf clover emblem on the car’s side.

— mark savage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Savage on Wheels: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio," 1 Aug. 2017
Available at the brand's two Saint-Topez boutiques (and online), there are dozens of color combinations, models and materials to choose from, like a soft, rust colored suede mule or a python skin, gladiator style sandal.

— mary winston nicklin, CNT, "K. Jacques, the Saint-Tropez Sandals even Michelle Obama Wears on Vacation," 3 July 2017
The Tungsten Edition is Ram’s highest trim level with niceties like a suede headliner — the first time it’s been tried in a truck, according to Morrison — and the most leather of any truck in the marketplace.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Fiat Chrysler shows off a new Hellcat, Durango and a luxury Ram pickup," 27 June 2017
The Tungsten is distinguished from the more plebeian Ram Limited by a segment-first suede headliner, exclusive white-and-indigo leather not unlike that in the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit, real wood trim, and body-color exterior components.

— duncan brady, Car and Driver, "Heavier Metal: 2018 Ram Limited Tungsten Editions Add Heft to Prices," 27 June 2017
An industrial-looking scissor-lift-esque console from Kittles with a '70s stereo pairs with a massive TV mounted over a taupe suede couch from a past relationship — all under a sleek, bladeless chrome ceiling fan.

— amy bartner, Indianapolis Star, "Downtown Cribs: Steampunk penthouse a surprise twist," 25 June 2017
Customers can chose from 31 leather colors, and eight in suede-like Alcantara, but a special request — say, matching your seats to that favorite belt — isn’t considered an imposition.

— marco della cava, USA TODAY, "Review: Bugatti's Chiron supercar is $3M of 'Hold on!'," 23 June 2017
Indulge in a lavish interior swathed in faux suede and nappa leather and outfitted with cutting-edge tech such as a digitized dashboard and a Burmester superstereo.

— eric stafford, Car and Driver, "2017 Mercedes-AMG E43," 21 June 2017
Whether your shoes are leather, canvas, or suede, SCTs assess the damage and recommend a treatment.

— Los Angeles Magazine, "The 54 Best Things To Do in Downtown L.A. Right Now," 20 June 2017

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

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

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