# grande dame

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˌɡɹɒ̃ ˈdɑːm/

## Definitions
1. A woman who is high-ranking, socially prominent, or has a dignified character, especially one who is advanced in age and haughty.
2. A woman who is accomplished and influential, and is a respected senior figure in a particular field; a doyenne.
3. A very highly regarded and well-known institution or structure, or large conveyance such as a ship.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French grande dame, from grande (the feminine form of grand (“great, grand”)) + dame (“lady”). Doublet of grandam.
The plural form grandes dames is borrowed from French grandes dames.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/grande-dame