debonair

[ deb-uh-nair ]

adjective

1. courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm:

   a debonair gentleman.

   Synonyms: polished, elegant, suave, urbane

2. jaunty; carefree; sprightly.

debonair

/ ˌdɛbəˈnɛə /

adjective

1. suave and refined
2. carefree; light-hearted
3. courteous and cheerful; affable

Derived Forms

• ˌdeboˈnairly, adverb
• ˌdeboˈnairness, noun

Other Words From

• debo·nairly adverb
• debo·nairness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debonair¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English debone(i)re, from Anglo-French; Old French debonaire; the original phrase was de bon aire “of good lineage”

Word History and Origins

Origin of debonair¹

C13: from Old French debonaire, from de bon aire having a good disposition

Example Sentences

Tall, debonair and handsome, Hassilev also was the sex symbol of the trio.

From Los Angeles Times

This lack of social synchrony can land even the most debonair droid in the “uncanny valley.”

From Science Magazine

“Their conversations aren’t all stylized and coy and debonair. They say the kinds of things that you would hear in bed at the end of the day with the person that you’re closest to.”

From New York Times

This feels like the year the academy overlooked DiCaprio for playing the debonair, depraved plantation owner in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.”

From Los Angeles Times

Actors soon began to hear from players moved by their performances as a debonair vampire and a green otherworldly warrior, among others.

From New York Times

Related Words

• affable
• dashing
• suave
• urbane