grande dame

noun

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio) also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) How to pronounce grande dame (audio)
1
: a usually elderly woman of great prestige or ability
2

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
While the facade of the stately building drawing inspiration from the grande dame Ritz Paris is unchanged, the interiors have been reimagined with opulence, and in true Nemacolin fashion, lots of whimsy. Katie Chang, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 At the Black Cow coffee shop in downtown Croton, McDonald sips an iced matcha latte and considers the Roses who have come before her, a litany of Broadway’s one-name grandes dames: Ethel, Angela, Tyne, Bernadette, Patti. Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024 Technically, LuPone, a grande dame of the American musical theatre, is playing Robyn, a mysterious New Yorker who is moving into Sharon’s spare bedroom. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2024 In Integrated Ecosystem Burnett, also a Grammy and Tony winner, portrayed Norma in Apple’s Palm Royale, the grande dame of Palm Beach high society and keeper of secrets with more than a few of her own. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for grande dame 

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great lady

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grande dame was in 1775

Dictionary Entries Near grande dame

Cite this Entry

“Grande dame.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grande%20dame. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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