Word of the Day

: January 11, 2009

debonair

adjective deb-uh-NAIR

What It Means

1 : suave, urbane

2 : lighthearted, nonchalant

debonair in Context

David, a handsome and debonair bachelor, is a much sought-after guest for dinner parties.

Did You Know?

In Anglo-French, someone who was genteel and well-brought-up was described as "deboneire" -- literally "of good family or nature" (from three words: "de bon aire"). When the word was borrowed into English in the 13th century, it basically meant "courteous," a narrow sense now pretty much obsolete. Today's "debonair" incorporates charm, polish, and worldliness, often combined with a carefree attitude (think James Bond). And yes, we tend to use this sense mostly, though not exclusively, of men. In the 19th century, we took the "carefree" part and made it a sense all its own. "The crowd that throngs the wharf as the steamer draws alongside is gay and debonair; it is a noisy, cheerful, gesticulating crowd," wrote Somerset Maugham in 1919 in his novel The Moon and Sixpence.