grande dame

[gran dam, deym, grahnd dam]

noun

plural

grandes dames 

1. a usually elderly woman of dignified or aristocratic bearing.

2. a woman who is the doyenne of a specific field.

   a grande dame of the American theater.

grande dame

/ ɡrɑ̃d dam /

noun

1. a woman regarded as the most experienced, prominent, or venerable member of her profession, etc

   the grande dame of fashion

Word History and Origins

Origin of grande dame¹

1735–45; < French: literally, great lady

Related Words

• dowager 
• housekeeper 
• matriarch