grande dame

noun

ˈgrän-ˈdäm 

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)  also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 

1

: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability

2

: granddaddy sense 2

Synonyms

• dowager
• matron

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

Beyond supernatural encounters, the Beaux-Arts hotel is also a glittering grande dame of the French Quarter, with a revolving carousel bar, pristine marble floors, and a wooden grandfather clock that’s chimed in the lobby since 1909. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025

But the creation was so popular that other grandes dames of international society were soon donning their own versions—affixed to semiprecious and precious stones such as aquamarine and morganite. —Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025

Base yourself closer to the airport in the island’s south at Coco Reef Resort & Spa, Tobago’s grande dame oceanfront resort. —Terry Ward, AFAR Media, 11 Sep. 2025

The grande dame of Alto Adige chardonnay. —Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

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