Meaning
The ability to say and do the right thing in any situation; polished tact and instinctive competence in social or practical matters. It is a formal, mildly flattering term close to 'poise' or 'social confidence'. In English it shades toward stylish social skill, whereas the French original ranges over plain know-how in any domain, from machinery to manners. Formal and complimentary, often with a cosmopolitan or Francophile flavour; can read as showy. Regional use: General English (borrowed from French).
Origin
French, literally 'knowing (how) to do', from the verbs savoir 'to know' and faire 'to do, to make'. Merriam-Webster dates the first known English use to 1788, while other references such as Dictionary.com place its arrival in the early 19th century; The Phrase Finder notes its prominent early appearance in Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering (1815) - 'He had great confidence in his own savoir faire' - which helped naturalise it in English. The exact first use therefore varies by source, but the phrase was firmly established in English by the early 1800s.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- savior faire
- savior-faire
Usage Examples
- The young diplomat handled the awkward toast with perfect savoir-faire.
- What the restaurant lacks in formal training it makes up for in genuine savoir-faire.
- Her savoir-faire at the negotiating table came from years of watching her mentors work a room.