doyen

doy·en

noun \ˈdȯi-ən, -ˌ(y)en; ˈdwä-ˌyaⁿ(n)\

Definition of DOYEN

1

a : the senior member of a body or group

b : a person considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor

2

: the oldest example of a category

Examples of DOYEN

1. He is considered the doyen of political journalists.
2. <considered the doyen of American art critics>

Origin of DOYEN

French, from Old French deien, from Late Latin decanus dean — more at dean

First Known Use: 1670

Related to DOYEN

Synonyms

veteran, old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, warhorse

Antonyms

beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Related Words

doyenne; adept, dab hand [chiefly British], expert, guru, hand, master, maven (also mavin), past master, pro, professional

Near Antonyms

apprentice, cub; boot, novitiate; amateur, dilettante; learner, student, trainee; candidate, entrant, probationer

Rhymes with DOYEN

again, amen, Ardennes, Big Ben, bull pen, Cayenne, Chosen, domaine, doyenne, Estienne, fen-phen, game hen, hang ten, hapten, Karen, La Tène, light pen, marsh hen, moorhen, peahen, pigpen, Phnom Penh, playpen, RN, Sheyenne, somewhen, Touraine, Turenne