doyenne

American  

[doi-en, dwa-yen] / dɔɪˈɛn, dwaˈyɛn /

noun

plural

doyennes

1. a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group, class, profession, etc.

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Gender

See -enne.

Etymology

Origin of doyenne

1900–05; < French, feminine of doyen doyen

Explanation

Are you a phenomenal baker, famous for your delicious homemade treats? Then you can call yourself the doyenne of cupcakes. A doyenne is an undisputed expert at something. Since 1905, doyenne has been used to mean "leading or senior woman in a group or society," from the French doyen, "senior member." While you can refer to any elder as a doyenne (like the leader of your Girl Scout troop), these days it's most commonly used for someone who's considered one of the most respected in a field. Oprah Winfrey has been called the doyenne of daytime TV more than once in her life.

Example Sentences

Shares in Parisian handbag doyenne Hermes fell sharply last week after it booked a sales drop the company blamed partly on fewer Middle Eastern travelers splurging in its European boutiques.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

Many of them were barely in school when the doyenne of Paris fashion took over menswear at Hermes in 1988 with instructions from then company boss Jean-Louis Dumas to run it "like your small company".

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

I’m not a hate-watcher of the show or its star — I, too, wish to moonlight as a domestic doyenne.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

And there will be several books too, one of them co-authored by Helen Garner, a doyenne of modern Australian literature.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025

Madame la doyenne was so overcome that for a moment speech left her.

From The Sunny Side of Diplomatic Life, 1875-1912 by Hegermann-Lindencrone, L. de (Lillie de)

Related Words

• artist
• authority
• connoisseur
• doctor
• genius
• guru
• professional
• scientist