protégée

noun

pro·​té·​gée ˈprō-tə-ˌzhā How to pronounce protégée (audio)
ˌprō-tə-ˈzhā
: a girl or woman who is a protégé

Word History

Etymology

French, feminine of protégé

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protégée was in 1778

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Cite this Entry

“Protégée.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9e. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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