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

While the grande dames in this space come with equally grand price tags, a crop of independent, design-forward hotels that offer elegant interiors and high-end amenities at approachable price points have emerged. —Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026

The backstory Built in 1933 as the first hotel in Ibiza, this neo-colonial grande dame was the beating heart of Ibiza Town, a meeting spot for locals, hippies, and celebrities. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2026

The hotel that doesn’t just provide a place to bed down but reflects the city’s grandest vision of itself—a Carlyle or Claridge’s or, in the case of a smaller city like San Francisco, a miniature grande dame like the Beau-Rivage Genève. —Ben Ryder Howe, Air Mail, 14 Mar. 2026

Glittering grande dames and jewel box boutique hotels give the aesthetically minded jet-setter plenty to think about; but for your own personal palazzo, why not book an Airbnb in Venice? —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 9 Feb. 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