First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
debonair
adjective deb·o·nair \ˌde-bə-ˈner\
of a man : dressing and acting in an appealing and sophisticated way : fashionable, attractive, and confident
Full Definition of DEBONAIR
2
a : suave, urbane <a debonair performer> b : lighthearted, nonchalant
— deb·o·nair·ly adverb
— deb·o·nair·ness noun
See debonair defined for English-language learners
See debonair defined for kids
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Examples of DEBONAIR
- Their history, past and recent, may be scribbled with viciousness and deprivation, but the debonair politeness, the good humor, of the Irish I met, who are still among the poorest people in the West, gave me to believe that calamity breeds character. —G. Y. Dryansky, Condé Nast Traveler, November 1994
- Cary Grant is the center of the action and, at this pivotal point in his career, he is suspended between the heroic and the debonair. —Andrew Sarris, Video Review, September 1990
- Wyndham Lewis arrived for a stay in Paris and he was a different man from the Lewis of London. He was free and easy and debonair. —Robert McAlmon et al., Being Geniuses Together, (1938) 1968
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Origin of DEBONAIR
Middle English debonere, from Anglo-French deboneire, from de bon aire of good family or nature
Related to DEBONAIR
- Synonyms
- blithe, carefree, devil-may-care, gay, happy-go-lucky, insouciant, lighthearted, lightsome, slaphappy, unconcerned
- Antonyms
- careworn
DEBONAIRNESS Defined for Kids
debonair
adjective deb·o·nair \ˌde-bə-ˈner\
Definition of DEBONAIR for Kids
: gracefully charming <The debonair gentleman charmed everyone.>
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