grande dame

noun

ˈgrän-ˈdäm 

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)  also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 

1

: a usually older woman of great prestige or ability

2

: granddaddy sense 2

Synonyms of grande dame

• dowager
• matron
• mother

Examples of grande dame in a Sentence

the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life

Recent Examples on the Web

Hollywood Beach Resort, the century-old grande dame with a storied history, is now a vacant relic that appears to be heading toward a more cosmopolitan fate. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026

Whether career girl or sexpot, gender bender or grande dame, Saint Laurent’s women were always new, and for the designer, newness was the most natural and inevitable thing in the world. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026

Some are centuries-old grande dames; others are boutique newcomers. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 23 July 2026

If the Marbella Club is the grande dame of this Andalusian resort town, Puente Romano Marbella is its younger, friskier sister on the Golden Mile. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great lady

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grande dame

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame