debonair Hear it!

debonair Definition

debo·nair (deb′ə ner′)

adjective

  1. Archaic pleasant and friendly in a cheerful way; genial
  2. easy and carefree in manner; jaunty; sprightly
  3. elegant and gracious; urbane

Etymology: ME debonaire < OFr < de bon aire, lit., of good breed or race: see aerie

debonair Related Forms
deb′o·nair′ly adverb
debonair Synonyms

debonair

modif.

  1. Jaunty

    buoyant, carefree, easy; see jaunty, nonchalant.

  2. Urbane

    suave, smooth, elegant, dapper; see pleasant 1, polite 1, refined 2.

debonair Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • playboy: Legendary actor Roger Moore stars as debonair playboy Simon Templar in the series that made him an international star.
  • man: A popular charming and debonair man who was killed in a plane crash in 1977.
  • detective: Its main protagonist Daz Croxley is no debonair detective by any stretch of the imagination.
  • gentleman: Compare and contrast Charmed tonight: Leo consults aged tomes in a library staffed by debonair gentlemen with English accents.

Modifying Another Word

  • so: So debonair, so sophisticated... Nick jaunted in to present an award at the Festival's gala evening event.
debonair Quotes

   The frolic wind that breathes the spring, Zephyr with Aurora playing, As he met her once a-Maying, There on beds of violets blue, And fresh-blown roses washed in dew, Filled her with a daughter fair, So buxom, blithe, and debonair.

—Milton,John

Browse dictionary entries near debonair

  1. ‹ debit card
  2. ‹ debit
  3. ‹ debility
  4. ‹ debilitate
  5. ‹ debenture
  6. ‹ debauchery
  7. ‹ debaucher
  8. ‹ debauchee
  9. ‹ debauched
  10. ‹ debauch
  1. debone ›
  2. Deborah ›
  3. debouch ›
  4. debouchment ›
  5. Debra ›
  6. Debrecen ›
  7. debridement ›
  8. debrief ›
  9. debris ›
  10. Debs ›