Apedia

Soigné February Care Describe Fashion Performance Adjective Swahn Yay

Word soigné
Date February 5, 2014
Type adjective
Syllables swahn-YAY
Etymology Not surprisingly, "soigné" comes from French, where it serves as the past participle of the verb "soigner," meaning "to take care of." It first appeared in English in the 19th century and can be used to describe such things as an elegant wardrobe, a fancy restaurant, or the extravagant meal one might enjoy at such a restaurant. It can also be used to describe people, as in an article about fashion designer Donna Karan: "Though her name is really pronounced 'Karen,' people said it with a glamorous continental inflection; it suited their image of a fashion designer: aloof, soigné, different from you and me." (Josh Patner, The New York Times, April 11, 2004)
Examples Wearing a fetching evening gown, Alyssa looked soigné and sophisticated and ready for the night's events.

"'Nijinsky' opens in 1919 in a hotel in St. Moritz, Switzerland, where the artist gave his final performance before sinking into madness, surviving until 1950. This solo performance in a soigne ballroom uncorks a flood of memories…." - From a dance review by Allan Ulrich in the San Francisco Chronicle, February 15, 2013
Definition 1 : dressed with great care and elegance : well-groomed, sleek
2 : elegantly maintained or designed

Tags: wordoftheday::adjective

Learn with these flashcards. Click next, previous, or up to navigate to more flashcards for this subject.

Next card: Simpatico meaning english word describe people february adjective

Previous card: Meed english found word terms literary including february

Up to card list: Word of the Day