Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
savoir-faire. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
savoir-faire, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
savoir-faire in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
savoir-faire you have here. The definition of the word
savoir-faire will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
savoir-faire, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Borrowed from French savoir-faire (“know-how”), from savoir (“to know (how)”) + faire (“to do”).
Pronunciation
Noun
savoir-faire (uncountable)
- The ability to do or say what is appropriate for the occasion.
1917, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, chapter IX, in The Soul of a Bishop:Dr. Brighton-Pomfrey had the savoir-faire of a successful consultant; he prided himself on being all things to all men; but just for an instant he was at a loss what sort of thing he had to be here.
Synonyms
French
Pronunciation
Noun
savoir-faire m (uncountable)
- know-how, savoir-faire
Descendants
See also
Further reading
Anagrams
Italian
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French savoir-faire (“know-how”).
Pronunciation
Noun
savoir-faire m (uncountable)
- savoir-faire
Related terms
References
- ^ savoir-faire in Dizionario Italiano Olivetti, Olivetti Media Communication
Further reading
- savoir-faire in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana
Portuguese
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French savoir-faire. Doublet of saber-fazer.
Noun
savoir-faire m (invariable)
- know-how
- Synonyms: saber-fazer, know-how
Swedish
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French savoir-faire.
Noun
savoir-faire
- savoir-faire; know-how
2003 July 24, “Den medskyldige turisten [The complicit tourist]”, in Dagens Nyheter:Till ytan handlar historien om lokalbefolkningens opålitlighet (ett vanligt tema i den koloniala litteraturen), men djupare sett handlar den om deras savoir-faire och överlevnadskonst, ja, egentligen om deras nyktra inställning till världen.- On the surface, the story is about the native people's unreliability (a common theme in colonial literature), but deeper it is about their savoir-faire and art of survival, well, really about their sober approach to the world.
2011 April 10, Clemens Poellinger, “Antikbranschens webbhallar här för att stanna [The antiques sector's web halls are here to stay]”, in Svenska Dagbladet:Med lite savoir-faire – genom att undvika allt som är moderiktigt eller Brommafint och därför blir dyrt; snyggt 50- och 60-tal, dansk design, Svenskt Tenn etcetera, går det att köpa möbler tillverkade av riktigt trä av riktiga snickare till priser som ett par Acnejeans.- With a little know-how – by avoiding everything that is fashionable or Bromma Fine and therefore expensive; stylish 50s and 60s, Danish design, Svenskt Tenn etcetera, it is possible to buy furniture made of real wood by real carpenters at prices like a pair of Acne jeans.
See also
References