adjective
urbane
ur-BAYN/ɜːrˈbeɪn/
Polished and graceful in social situations.
Our urbane host makes everyone feel comfortable at the dinner table.
Etymology
Built on urbs ‘city,’ urbane moved from ‘belonging to a city’ to ‘having refined city manners.’ The modern sense preserves that association between town life and polished, courteous behavior.
In context
you've now got the more urbane, more more erudite, more well-spoken, eloquent people like like, you know, Ajay Banga, for example.
More examples
- Her urbane manner puts nervous guests at ease.
- Even during awkward conversations, he remains urbane and charming.
- She handles the unexpected question with an urbane smile.
Forms
urbane · more urbane · most urbane
urbanity noun — Polish and grace in social situations.
urbanely adverb — In a socially polished, graceful manner.
Similar words
- suave
- Emphasizes smooth charm, sometimes suggesting calculated or insincere behavior.
- sophisticated
- Emphasizes worldly experience and refined tastes rather than social grace.
- polished
- Describes refinement in manners or performance, not just social ease.