dame

noun

ˈdām 

1

: a woman of rank, station, or authority: such as

a

archaic : the mistress of a household

b

: the wife or daughter of a lord

c

: a female member of an order of knighthood

—used as a title prefixed to the given name

2

a

informal : an elderly woman : matron

b

US slang, old-fashioned : woman

a classy dame

Synonyms

• dowager
• grande dame
• matriarch
• matron

Examples of dame in a Sentence

She was made a dame the year before she died.

as the grand dames of local society, they determined which charities received support

Recent Examples on the Web

In response to a question about the Sept. 27 death of longtime friend Maggie Smith, the British dame, 89, reportedly became overcome with emotion at a Cheltenham Literature Festival event on Saturday, Oct. 5. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024

Opened in 2020, the contemporary Capella Bangkok is surrounded by lush gardens and exudes the elegance of a grand dame property combined with the intimacy of a boutique hotel. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

That same year, she was made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II, for her contributions to the performing arts. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Their affinity modernizes Bresson’s classic studies of spiritual struggle amid negative forces (Les dames de Bois de Boulogne and Diary of a Country Priest). —Armond White, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin domina, feminine of dominus master; akin to Latin domus house — more at dome

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dame

• dame school
• dame's rocket
• grande dame

Kids Definition

dame

noun

ˈdām 

: a woman of rank, station, or authority: as

a

archaic : the mistress of a household

b

: the wife or daughter of a lord

c

: a female member of an order of knighthood

—used as a title before a given name

Etymology

Middle English dame "a woman of rank or authority, lady," from early French dame (same meaning), from Latin domina "mistress, lady," feminine form of dominus "master, owner" — related to damsel, dominate, don entry 2, madam, madonna, prima donna