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

Other elements of the queen consort’s look included a pair of sand suede wedges courtesy of Eliot Zed. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 July 2025

Cork insoles lined with suede absorb shock, while lightweight rubber outsoles offer vital traction on a wide range of surfaces. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2025

The Dolce & Gabbana rawhide leather shirt and Alice + Olivia suede bell bottoms Wilson wore during the photo shoot for her 2024 album, Whirlwind. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Practically postage-stamp size at 430 square feet, the boutique has an intimate feel in dark woods and soft suede walls. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 29 June 2025

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"