debutante

Or déb·u·tante

[deb-yoo-tahnt, -tant]

noun

1. a young woman making a debut into society.

debutante

/ -ˌtænt, ˈdɛbjʊˌtɑːnt /

noun

1. a young woman of upper-class background who is presented to society, usually at a formal ball

2. a girl or young woman regarded as being upper-class, wealthy, and of a frivolous or snobbish social set

Other Word Forms

• postdebutante noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debutante¹

1795–1805; < French; feminine of débutant debutant

Word History and Origins

Origin of debutante¹

C19: from French, from débuter to lead off in a game, make one's first appearance; see _debut