grande dame

noun

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio) also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
2

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
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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 See All Example Sentences for grande dame

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great lady

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grande dame was in 1775

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Cite this Entry

“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

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