Debonair — Deb o*nair , a. [OE. debonere, OF. de bon aire, debonaire, of good descent or lineage, excellent, debonair, F. d[ e]bonnaire debonair; de of (L. de) + bon good (L. bonus) + aire. See {Air}, and {Bounty}, and cf. {Bonair}.] Characterized by… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
debonair — c.1200, mild, gentle, kind courteous, from O.Fr. debonaire, from de bon aire of good race, originally used of hawks, hence, thoroughbred (opposite of Fr. demalaire). Used in M.E. to mean docile, courteous, it became obsolete and was revived with… … Etymology dictionary
debonair — [adj] charming, elegant affable, buoyant, casual, cheerful, courteous, dashing, detached, happy, jaunty, lighthearted, nonchalant, pleasant, refined, smooth, sprightly, suave, urbane, well bred; concept 401 Ant. awkward, clumsy, inelegant,… … New thesaurus
debonair — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ (of a man) confident, stylish, and charming. ORIGIN from Old French de bon aire of good disposition … English terms dictionary
debonair — [deb΄ə ner′] adj. [ME debonaire < OFr < de bon aire, lit., of good breed or race: see AERIE] 1. Archaic pleasant and friendly in a cheerful way; genial 2. easy and carefree in manner; jaunty; sprightly 3. elegant and gracious; urbane: Also… … English World dictionary
debonair — [[t]de̱bəne͟ə(r)[/t]] ADJ GRADED A man who is debonair is confident, charming, and well dressed. He was a handsome, debonair, death defying racing driver. Syn: suave … English dictionary
debonair — adjective a man who is debonair is fashionable and well dressed and behaves in an attractively confident way: a stylish, debonair young man … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
debonair — adjective Etymology: Middle English debonere, from Anglo French deboneire, from de bon aire of good family or nature Date: 13th century 1. archaic gentle, courteous 2. a. suave, urbane < a debonair p … New Collegiate Dictionary
debonair — debonairly, adv. debonairness, n. /deb euh nair /, adj. 1. courteous, gracious, and having a sophisticated charm: a debonair gentleman. 2. jaunty; carefree; sprightly. Also, debonaire, debonnaire. [1175 1225; ME debone(i)re < AF; OF debonaire,… … Universalium
debonair — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. courteous; gay, affable. See cheerfulness. II (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Jaunty] Syn. buoyant, carefree, easy; see jaunty , nonchalant . 2. [Urbane] Syn. suave, smooth, elegant, dapper; see pleasant 1 … English dictionary for students
