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

Poor Helen Hayes, grande dame of the stage, lived long enough to see her namesake theater meet the wrecking ball. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026

Unlike the grande dames of the Amalfi Coast, Angelina is sleek, modern, and a startling, almost Greek-style interloper to the cliffside above pretty Praiano. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Baros Maldives is the grande dame of resorts in the archipelagic country. — Ann Lee, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026

Hollywood Beach Resort, the century-old grande dame with a storied history, is now a vacant relic that appears to be heading toward a more cosmopolitan fate. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 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