grande dame
noun
plural grandes dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
also grande dames
ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
Examples of grande dame in a Sentence
the city's grandes dames still hold considerable sway in its cultural life
Recent Examples on the Web
The grande dame of the Italian Riviera may have got a little grander, but clearly, she’s lost none of her magic.
—
Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 June 2025
While the grande dames in this space come with equally grand price tags, a crop of independent, design-forward hotels that offer elegant interiors and high-end amenities at approachable price points have emerged.
—Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Both the younger crowd and the grandes dames betrayed an endearingly starstruck appreciation for the Liverpool cowboy.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
The Hotels The couple is said to be staying at the Aman, on the Grand Canal, the grande dame property where George and Amal Clooney were married, and rooms range from more than $3,000 to $32,000 nightly.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2025
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Liam Hess, Vogue, 18 June 2025
While the grande dames in this space come with equally grand price tags, a crop of independent, design-forward hotels that offer elegant interiors and high-end amenities at approachable price points have emerged.
—Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2025
Both the younger crowd and the grandes dames betrayed an endearingly starstruck appreciation for the Liverpool cowboy.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
The Hotels The couple is said to be staying at the Aman, on the Grand Canal, the grande dame property where George and Amal Clooney were married, and rooms range from more than $3,000 to $32,000 nightly.
—Beth Landman, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grande dame
Cite this Entry
“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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