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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Before Mary Berry and Prue Leith, there was Fanny Cradock… The original grande dame of English cookery television, Cradock swept onto screens in the 1950s with theatrical flair. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025 The city’s undisputed grande dame with some of the city’s best service From $590 Book now Opened in 1928 by Asia’s oldest hotel brand, the Peninsula Hong Kong is one of the city’s most historic properties. Mary Holland, AFAR Media, 19 Dec. 2024 The 388-room grande dame of the island is more than 130 years old. Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 14 Apr. 2025 Amenities and Experiences Floral arrangements are often a hallmark of grande dame hotels, and Corinthia Bucharest prominently showcases master florist Nicu Bocancea’s (founder of Romania’s luxe floral boutique Iris) elegantly tiered displays in the entryway and at Boulevard 73. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 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 29 May. 2025.

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