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

Dad Matthew also sported blue jeans, along with a white T-shirt underneath a suede jacket. —Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025

There are also chocolate brown styles that range in textures–like sumptuous suede from Dear Frances to luxe shiny leather from Khaite. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 23 Jan. 2025

His first appearance is in a black leather tailcoat jacket that’s trimmed with moss green suede and worn with matching boots and a silk lavallière held with an emerald brooch — a strong contrast to Tatina’s pale pink peasant-style dresses. —Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 23 Jan. 2025

The exterior is made of water-resistant suede to shield your toes from water, snow, and mud, and the padded heel collar prevents ankle blisters. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 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

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"