grande dame

noun

ˈgrän-ˈdäm 

plural grandes dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z)  also grande dames ˈgrän-ˈdäm(z) 

1

: a usually older woman of great prestige or ability

2

: granddaddy sense 2

Synonyms of grande dame

• dowager
• matron
• mother

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

Check into the Hotel Due Torri, a centuries-old grande dame with an impressive collection of antiques. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026

So far, so Agatha Christie, although that grande dame of whodunits stuck to human crime-solvers. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026

Painted pink since 1918 (signifying peace at the end of World War I), the ‘Nellie’ is Cape Town’s ‘grande dame’, and dates back to 1899. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

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, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, great lady

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grande dame

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame