How to pronounce suave
Say it like SWAHV. Suave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
- SWAHV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: One syllable starting with 'sw': 'swahv'.
Suave pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SWAHVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
American vs British pronunciation of suave
American and British speakers say suave in essentially the same way: /swɑv/ in the US and /swɑːv/ in the UK.
British respelling: SWAHV.
What does suave mean?
- Of a person, charming, though often in a manner that is insincere or sophisticated.“a man with a suave demeanor”
- Displaying smoothness and sophistication.“suave excellence”
- Gracious, kind.
- sweet-talk
Where does suave come from?
From Middle English suave, borrowed from Latin suāvis (“sweet, pleasant”); doublet of sweet.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suave
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suave.
Questions about saying suave
How do you pronounce suave?
Say SWAHV. The American pronunciation is /swɑv/. In British English it is /swɑːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suave?
Suave is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: SWAHV.
Do Americans and Brits say suave the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /swɑv/ and the British form is /swɑːv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.