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

Even the grandest of dames can evolve to embrace a more sustainable future. —Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

New York will see the triumphant return of its grand dame, the Waldorf Astoria. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025

In addition to their longtime friendship, the two dames paths crossed frequently in their professional lives. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Top 5 Can’t Miss Stay at the city’s iconic pink grand dame, The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. Visit the largest collection of works by Salvador Dalí outside of Spain at The Dalí Museum. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 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