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)
Synonyms of grande damenext
1
: a usually older 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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But, the grande dame here is the two-bedroom Alii Royal suite ($26,000 a night) with an open living and dining space, a formal seating area, a library, and three private balconies. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026 Check into the Hotel Due Torri, a centuries-old grande dame with an impressive collection of antiques. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026 So far, so Agatha Christie, although that grande dame of whodunits stuck to human crime-solvers. Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026 As grande dame journalist Kara Swisher concludes in Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever, which airs today on CNN, the number one key to longevity? Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2026 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 24 May. 2026.

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