doyen
noun
doy·en
ˈdȯi-ən 
-ˌ(y)en;
ˈdwä-ˌyaⁿ(n)
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
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English picked up doyen from French in the 17th century. The French word in turn comes, via the Old French deien, from the Late Latin word decanus, which itself comes from the Greek dekanos, meaning "chief of ten." A doyen can be a leader of a group, such as a diplomatic corps. In this regard, the word has been used to refer to someone who is specifically or tacitly allowed to speak for that group. More broadly, a doyen refers to a highly skilled and respected veteran of a particular field. The feminine form of doyen is doyenne.
Examples of doyen in a Sentence
He is considered the doyen of political journalists.
considered the doyen of American art critics
Recent Examples on the Web
The newcomers to their abode are Jerry, a hunky Mormon flight attendant (Bomer), and Arthur, a haughty fashion doyen recently fired from Vogue (Graham).
—
Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The as-yet-untitled series will feature the two doyens of British comedy along with newer names like Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans (all pictured).
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Theatre doyen and Lightroom founder Nicholas Hytner addressed the crowd assembled for the premiere of Inventing the Runway in King’s Cross on Thursday night, flanked by Anna Wintour, Mark Guiducci, Chioma Nnadi, and Cate Blanchett, who narrates the 50-minute exhibition.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
In the final pages of issue number two, legendary Englishman Nicky Haslam, a doyen of the interiors world, shares his ultimate party etiquette, honed over a lifetime of attending the most fabulous parties ever thrown discreetly behind closed doors.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024
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Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025
The as-yet-untitled series will feature the two doyens of British comedy along with newer names like Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Lara Ricote, Stevie Martin, and Krystal Evans (all pictured).
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2025
Theatre doyen and Lightroom founder Nicholas Hytner addressed the crowd assembled for the premiere of Inventing the Runway in King’s Cross on Thursday night, flanked by Anna Wintour, Mark Guiducci, Chioma Nnadi, and Cate Blanchett, who narrates the 50-minute exhibition.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2024
In the final pages of issue number two, legendary Englishman Nicky Haslam, a doyen of the interiors world, shares his ultimate party etiquette, honed over a lifetime of attending the most fabulous parties ever thrown discreetly behind closed doors.
—Freya Drohan, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for doyen
Cite this Entry
“Doyen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doyen. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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