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

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms

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

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

Or so sportscar journalism doyen Gary Watkins says, anyway. —Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 20 June 2025

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 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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for doyen

• iroquoian

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