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

While Emily would never pair a massive Balenciaga City Bag with brown suede sneakers, Collins had no such qualms with the look while traveling across Europe last summer. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 4 June 2026

Aeyde’s soft suede flats in baby blue pair well with light-wash denim in a similar shade. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 June 2026

Drivers needed a super-thin sole to feel the pedals, a rounded heel to pivot smoothly around sharp European switchbacks, and a tight suede fit. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

Quince’s Italian Leather Asymmetrical Mini Shoulder Bag features a similar silhouette, high-quality leather construction, and luxurious suede lining. —Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 1 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"