grandee

[gran-dee]

noun

1. a man of high social position or eminence, especially a Spanish or Portuguese nobleman.

grandee

/ ɡrænˈdiː /

noun

1. a Spanish or Portuguese prince or nobleman of the highest rank

2. a man of great rank or eminence

Other Word Forms

• grandeeship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandee¹

1590–1600; < Spanish, Portuguese grande, with ending assimilated to -ee

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandee¹

C16: from Spanish grande

Example Sentences

The former Olympic athlete, who has died at the age of 84, had an urbane manner and "grandee" style, although it belied more humble origins.

From BBC

However, a Welsh Labour grandee said the party was facing "the biggest kicking in our history".

From BBC

The responses demonstrated the conflicted attitude many in Labour clearly felt towards a party grandee they saw as both a masterful political operator and a deeply flawed man.

From BBC

Some industry grandees have warned that the UK industry will struggle to compete, and Britain might have to introduce quotas.

From BBC

But Labour grandee Lord Blunkett wants Reeves to "loosen a little the self-imposed fiscal rules", calling them "Treasury orthodoxy and monetarism at its worst".

From BBC

Related Words

• aristocrat 
• blue blood 
• emperor 
• patrician