savoir-faire
[ sav-wahr-fair; French sa-vwar-fer ]
/ ˈsæv wɑrˈfɛər; French sa vwarˈfɛr /
noun
knowledge of just what to do in any situation; tact.
Origin of savoir-faire
1805–15; < French: literally, knowing how to do
SYNONYMS FOR savoir-faire
Words nearby savoir-faire
savior,
saviour,
savitskaya,
savoie,
savoir faire,
savoir-faire,
savoir-vivre,
savona,
savonarola,
savonarola chair,
savonarola, girolamo
British Dictionary definitions for savoir faire
savoir-faire
/ (ˈsævwɑːˈfɛə) /
noun
the ability to do the right thing in any situation
Word Origin for savoir-faire
French, literally: a knowing how to do
Cultural definitions for savoir faire
savoir faire
[ (sav-wahr fair) ]
Ease and dexterity in social and practical affairs: “Peter is a friendly person, but he lacks the savoir faire required for a successful career in the foreign service.” From French, meaning “to know how to act.”