debutante

noun

deb·​u·​tante ˈde-byu̇-ˌtänt How to pronounce debutante (audio)
: one making a debut (see debut entry 1) : debutant
especially : a young woman making her formal entrance into society

Examples of debutante in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Deb is a musical film centering on a high school outcast played by Natalie Abbott, who teams up with her cousin (MacInnes), as the pair aim to shake up the upcoming debutante ball. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025 This year’s debutantes included women from Europe, Asia, and the U.S. Kristen Tauer, WWD, 30 Dec. 2024 Bridgerton reimagines this historical moment with a modern, inclusive twist, while showcasing the customs, debutante balls, and societal expectations of aristocratic London. Jenna Dejong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025 Even the British royal family canceled debutante balls. Michael Nied, People.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for debutante

Word History

Etymology

French débutante, feminine of débutant — see debutant

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of debutante was in 1801

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Cite this Entry

“Debutante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debutante. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

debutante

noun
deb·​u·​tante ˈdeb-yu̇-ˌtänt How to pronounce debutante (audio)
: a young woman making her debut

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