savoir-faire
Graceful situational competence
Savoir-faire is the ability to act appropriately and confidently in any social situation—knowing what to do and doing it with ease.
The French phrase literally means "knowing how to do," and English borrows it for a particular kind of social grace: She handled the awkward introduction with characteristic savoir-faire.
It suggests polish without stiffness, competence without visible effort.
Refined, graceful quality
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- refinementElegance of manner
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- panacheFlamboyant confidence of manner
finesse · style · chic · flair · class · suavity · debonair · charm
Careful judgment in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
politeness · consideration · thoughtfulness · subtlety · prudence · judiciousness · tactfulness · finesse
Skilled performance level
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- masteryComplete skill or control
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- know-howPractical ability to accomplish
acumen · adroitness · dexterity · craftsmanship · prowess · aptitude · ingenuity · resourcefulness
Self-assurance or trust
- self-assuranceConfidence in one's abilities
- composureEmotional self-control
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
- coolnessCalm self-possession
calmness · self-possession · assurance · ease · nonchalance · imperturbability · sangfroid · unflappability
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- refinementElegance of manner
- polishSmooth by rubbing
panache · finesse · style · chic · flair · class · suavity · debonair · charm · poise
discretion
Careful judgment in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
courtesy · politeness · consideration · thoughtfulness · subtlety · prudence · judiciousness · tactfulness · finesse · gracefulness
proficiency
Skilled performance level
- skillAcquired ability through practice
- masteryComplete skill or control
- competenceAdequate ability to function
know-how · acumen · adroitness · dexterity · craftsmanship · prowess · aptitude · ingenuity · resourcefulness · capability
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
- self-assuranceConfidence in one's abilities
- composureEmotional self-control
- equanimityUnshakable mental steadiness
coolness · calmness · self-possession · assurance · ease · nonchalance · imperturbability · sangfroid · unflappability · presence
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- demeanorbehavior, conduct, deportment, bearing, demeanor
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- French chicchic, elegance, sophistication, effortless, refinement
- ParisEiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame, Seine, Montmartre
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
savoir-fairegaucheness
Social ineptitude
awkwardness · tactlessness · gracelessness · clumsiness · maladroitness
savoir-faireincompetence
Lack of required skill
ineptitude · inexperience · haplessness · helplessness · fumbling
savoir-faireboorishness
Crude, uncouth conduct
uncouthness · crudeness · rusticity · unsophistication · coarseness