Words / C2

ur-BAYN/ɜːˈbeɪn/

Urbane means confident, polite, and comfortable in social situations, in a sophisticated way: an urbane host. Polite is everyday and thinner; suave can imply smoothness that hides something; sophisticated is close but can describe taste, not manners. Urban means of the city — a different word, despite the shared root. In speech, smooth and at ease is enough. Praise for social grace; in criticism, urbane can mean too smooth to be honest.

Meaning

Confident, polite, and comfortable in social situations, in a sophisticated way.

Examples

• “The host was urbane and put everyone at ease.”
• “The chair was urbane enough to disagree without humiliating the speaker.”
• “Urbane charm is not an argument; it is a manner that can carry one, or conceal the lack.”

Good to know

Smoothly sophisticated manners. Everyday: polished / at ease. Close: suave (sometimes suspicious). Contrast: urban = of the city.

Near in meaning

suave

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