savoir-faire

English

Etymology

Borrowing from French savoir-faire (“know-how”), from savoir (“to know (how)”) + faire (“to do”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsævwɑːˈfɛə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌsævwɑɹˈfɛɹ/

Noun

savoir-faire (uncountable)

1. The ability to do or say what is appropriate for the occasion.

Synonyms

• know-how

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French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /sa.vwaʁ.fɛʁ/

• Audio (FR)

  (file)

Noun

savoir-faire m (uncountable)

1. know-how, savoir-faire

Anagrams

• faire savoir
• favoriserai

Further reading

• “savoir-faire” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).