debutante

or déb·u·tante

[ deb-yoo-tahnt, -tant ]

noun

1. a young woman making a debut into society.

debutante

/ -ˌtænt; ˈdɛbjʊˌtɑːnt /

noun

1. a young woman of upper-class background who is presented to society, usually at a formal ball
2. a girl or young woman regarded as being upper-class, wealthy, and of a frivolous or snobbish social set

Other Words From

• post·debu·tante noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debutante¹

1795–1805; < French; feminine of débutant debutant

Word History and Origins

Origin of debutante¹

C19: from French, from débuter to lead off in a game, make one's first appearance; see debut

Example Sentences

Penelope lacks the silver tongue and easy charm of other young debutantes.

From Salon

“The lineup that we had at the end, there were a lot of debutantes,” Thomas said.

From Seattle Times

The Los Angeles Times ran a story in which columnist Ben Bolch referred to LSU players as “dirty debutantes” and “villains.”

From Salon

Do you prefer America’s sweethearts or its dirty debutantes?

From Los Angeles Times

“Debs at War” and “1939: The Last Season,” for instance, describe World War II and its upending of the British class system by following the lives of London debutantes.

From New York Times