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

From Puma’s cheetah-print ballet flats to Dolce Vita’s suede sneakers, these styles just might be your hardest-working travel shoe this fall. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026

That red coat Swift strutted into Arrowhead a few days before Christmas in 2024 for the Chiefs-Texans game in a statement-making, cherry red faux fur and suede coat with fluffy cuffs and collar by British label Charlotte Simone. — Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026

Not only is that an outdated fashion rule, but these white palazzo jeans beautifully contrast against fall-ready brown suedes and burnt orange leathers. — Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle, 12 Sep. 2026

But the resurrection of the suede jacket, over the past few years, has been hard to miss. — Christina Holevas, Vogue, 10 Sep. 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"