Degage

/deɪɡɑːˈʒeɪ/ adjective

Definition

Relaxed, detached, and unconcerned in manner or appearance; having an ease that suggests freedom from worry or social constraint.

Etymology

From French dégagé, past participle of dégager meaning to disengage or release. The word comes from Old French 'des-' (un-) plus 'gager' (to pledge), literally meaning 'unpledged' or 'free.'

Kelly Says

Dégagé is the kind of word that sounds more sophisticated in its original French—English borrowed it specifically because we wanted that exact sense of casual elegance that English words couldn't quite capture.

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