Synonyms of savoir faire

savoir faire

noun

as in charm

formal the ability to behave in a correct and confident way in different situations

I admire her sophistication and savoir faire.

He handled the problem with his usual savoir faire.

Related Words

• charm
• sensitivity
• gallantry
• grace
• manners
• gracefulness
• courtesy
• diplomacy
• consideration
• tact
• poise
• suavity
• gentility
• thoughtfulness
• etiquette
• suaveness
• tactfulness
• graciousness
• mannerliness
• considerateness
• politeness
• respect
• dexterity
• courteousness
• finesse
• deference
• civility
• delicacy
• adroitness
• regard
• deftness

Dissimilar Words

• awkwardness
• discourtesy
• thoughtlessness
• gaucheness
• gracelessness
• inconsiderateness
• disregard
• indelicacy
• maladroitness
• inconsideration
• impoliteness
• incivility
• discourteousness
• disrespect
• brashness
• rudeness
• boorishness
• impudence
• ungraciousness
• insolence
• impertinence
• insensitivity
• clumsiness
• tactlessness
• loutishness
• brassiness
• disrespectfulness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word savoir faire different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of savoir faire are address, poise, and tact. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

When would address be a good substitute for savoir faire?

While the synonyms address and savoir faire are close in meaning, address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

When is it sensible to use poise instead of savoir faire?

The words poise and savoir faire are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When can tact be used instead of savoir faire?

Although the words tact and savoir faire have much in common, tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of savoir faire

This heritage comes in handy for a European luxury goods giant hoping to merge savoir faire with Made in the USA. —Maghan McDowell, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2025

Drawing on more than a century of savoir faire while employing some of the best contemporary creatives in the business, Van Cleef & Arpels began creating a series of jaw-dropping modern automatons known as Extraordinary Objects in 2017. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2025

Somewhere in there, Noel Coward shows up—he’s played, with suitable louche savoir faire, by Arty Froushan. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

While the way the land has been cultivated has remained relatively unchanged for centuries, the building itself was updated to reflect the savoir faire of the brand. —Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019