protégé

American  

[proh-tuh-zhey, proh-tuh-zhey] / ˈproʊ təˌʒeɪ, ˌproʊ təˈʒeɪ /

noun

1. a person under the patronage, protection, or care of someone interested in their career or welfare.

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protégé British  

/ ˈprəʊtɪˌʒeɪ /

noun

1. a person who is protected and aided by the patronage of another person

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Etymology

Origin of protégé

First recorded in 1780–90; from French, noun use of past participle of protéger “to protect” from Latin prōtegere; protect

Example Sentences

Anduril, which develops drones, missiles, robotic submarines and autonomous fighter jets, was founded in 2017 by Peter Thiel protégé Palmer Luckey.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

Roy Cohn’s gospel to his young protégé Donald Trump was simple: never apologize, never admit error, never retreat.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026

Equally compelling is Silas’s protégé, Barnaby, who claims to have David’s best interests at heart—until he tells David he intends “to get to know you and your every secret better than anyone ever has before.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

The screen tests were not successful, but Vadim - who was six years older - took her on, first as his protégé and then as his fiancée.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

During the election campaign of 1705, she knighted both Newton, Halifax’s protégé, and Halifax’s brother, in the hope that the honour would encourage voters to support them.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin