savoir faire
Effortless graceful competence
Savoir faire is the ability to act appropriately in any social situation—a kind of confident, effortless tact.
The French phrase translates literally as "knowing how to do," but in English it suggests sophistication and grace under pressure: She handled the awkward dinner conversation with remarkable savoir faire.
The term implies worldliness rather than mere politeness.
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
delicacy · sensitivity · conciliation · judiciousness · prudence · finesse · subtlety · peacemaking
Correctness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
respectfulness · social graces · protocol · formality · civility · gentility · breeding · correctness
Elegance of manner
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- worldlinessSecular, experienced outlook
- cosmopolitanCulturally sophisticated, internationally fluent
urbane · cultured · discerning · tasteful · chic · stylish · genteel · polished
Effortless beauty of motion
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- charismaMagnetic personal appeal
- magnetismForce between poles
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
wit · panache · flair · suavity · smoothness · gallantry · appeal · enchantment
Emotional self-control
- aplombSelf-assured composure
- self-assuranceConfidence in one's abilities
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
- equilibriumState of balance
steadiness · coolness · calmness · self-possession · unflappability · sangfroid · nonchalance · presence of mind
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
protocol · delicacy · sensitivity · conciliation · judiciousness · prudence · finesse · subtlety · peacemaking · conflict resolution
propriety
Correctness of conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- courtesyRespectful, considerate behavior
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
politeness · respectfulness · social graces · protocol · formality · civility · gentility · breeding · correctness · good form
refinement
Elegance of manner
- cultivationFostering growth through care
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- worldlinessSecular, experienced outlook
cosmopolitan · urbane · cultured · discerning · tasteful · chic · stylish · genteel · polished · connoisseurship
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
allure · wit · panache · flair · suavity · smoothness · gallantry · appeal · enchantment · captivation
composure
Emotional self-control
- aplombSelf-assured composure
- self-assuranceConfidence in one's abilities
- confidenceSelf-assurance or trust
equilibrium · steadiness · coolness · calmness · self-possession · unflappability · sangfroid · nonchalance · presence of mind · grace under pressure
- FranceParis, Notre-Dame, Lyon, croissant, Toulouse
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- elegantchic, stylish, refined, tasteful, elegant
- French chicchic, elegance, sophistication, effortless, refinement
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
savoir faireawkwardness
Lack of grace or ease
clumsiness · ineptitude · gracelessness · gaucheness · maladroitness
savoir fairenaivety
Innocent lack of experience
inexperience · ineptitude · incompetence · naiveté · cluelessness
savoir fairetactlessness
Absence of social sensitivity
indelicacy · heavy-handedness · gaucherie · boorishness · crudeness