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protégée

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

noun

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


Etymology

Origin of protégée

1770–80; < French, feminine of protégé protégé ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Ms. Sheinbaum, a protégée of Mr. López Obrador and fellow member of the corporatist Morena party, promised during her 2024 presidential campaign to improve the database’s accuracy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

When their bus breaks down on the way to a showcase, a troupe of ballerinas led by “Dance Moms” alum and one-time Sia protégée Maddie Ziegler becomes stranded in a remote hotel-bar-dungeon-arms factory outside Budapest.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Leading the challenge from the right is former culture minister Rachida Dati, 60, one-time protégée of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

If Rachel makes his film, she’ll become a combo platter of his mother, his daughter, his protégée and his cash cow.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

As Golos's lover and his main espionage protégée, Elizabeth Bentley quickly became indispensable to Stalin's underground operation in the United States.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau