grande dame
noun
plural grandes dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
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
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
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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
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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