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

The media mogul opted for a light-brown suede jacket with puff sleeves, layered over a ruffle blouse that was tucked into her wide-leg jeans. —Eva Thomas, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026

Other Western styles include white cotton tops, faux suede coordinates with whipstitch trim and blue jeans with vegan suede paneling. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2026

Transitional outerwear also delivers, from suede bomber jackets in cobalt blue to powder-pink trenches. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026

The shoe was a hit, praised equally for its design as its comfort, and is currently available in 19 different colorways and materials, including pink or leopard ponyhair, white leather, and tan suede. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 30 Mar. 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"