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 Chaco Townes sandals take the brand’s famously supportive footbed and combine it with a more polished look with soft suede straps that feel far more elevated than your standard sporty sandal. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Reviewers appreciate the cushiony faux suede footbed and adjustable ankle strap. — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026

These feature a suede upper, ribbon laces, a memory foam insole, and a flexible, non-slip outsole. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 18 July 2026

The pairing of light-wash jeans with cream or beige suede loafers just feels so harmonious. — Alex Sales, Glamour, 17 July 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"