Meaning & use
doyenne
Last updated
UK/dɔɪˈen/
US/dɔɪˈen/
Meaning
nouncountableformal
A woman who is the most respected and experienced member of a group or field, usually because of her long career.
Grammar: Usually followed by of: the doyenne of British cooking.
Patterns
- the doyenne of something
She is the doyenne of children's literature.
The doyenne of the local theater, she had acted for fifty years.
Younger writers sought advice from the doyenne of the profession.
Word forms
| plural | doyennes |
|---|
Common combinations
- doyenne of
- She was the doyenne of the fashion world.
- the doyenne of the industry
- The doyenne of the industry retired last year.
- a revered doyenne
- A revered doyenne of dance judged the contest.
- acknowledged doyenne
- She is the acknowledged doyenne of food writing.
- doyenne and mentor
- She became doyenne and mentor to young chefs.
Synonyms and how they differ
- matriarch
- Matriarch refers to a female head of a family or group, whereas a doyenne is a respected expert in a field.
- grande dame
- Grande dame adds a note of dignified, rather formal glamour.
- veteran
- Veteran stresses long experience but carries no special honor and may be male or female.
- authority
- Authority means expert knowledge but not necessarily seniority.
Opposites
Word family
- doyen noun
- the male equivalent
- doyens noun
- plural of doyen
- doyennes noun
- plural of doyenne
Commonly confused: doyenne or doyen?
doyenne vs doyen
Doyen is the male form. Doyenne is the female form, with the extra e.
Practice
Which phrase best uses doyenne?
Choose one answer.
Doyenne names a respected senior woman in a field, such as pottery. The others do not suit the meaning.
Make it your own
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