doyenne

[ doi-en; French dwa-yen ]

noun

, plural doy·ennes [doi-, enz, dw, a, -, yen].

1. a woman who is the senior member, as in age or rank, of a group, class, profession, etc.

Gender Note

See -enne.

Word History and Origins

Origin of doyenne¹

1900–05; < French, feminine of doyen doyen

Example Sentences

In the new, ’60s-set comedy series, Martin plays Robert Diaz, a Korean War veteran who works as the eagle-eyed employee of the show’s exclusive country club and the caretaker of Burnett’s high-society doyenne, Norma Dellacorte.

From Los Angeles Times

Onstage with her group the Mamas & the Papas at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967, Cass Elliot, the grand doyenne of the Laurel Canyon scene, bantered with the timing of a vaudeville comedian.

From New York Times

I wish “The ABCs of Book Banning,” boasting the first directing credit from longtime doc doyenne Sheila Nevins, were more focused in its outrage.

From Los Angeles Times

—Speaking of original song, that doyenne of the category, Diane Warren, also beat her own record this year earning her 15th nod — and seventh in a row — for penning “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dubbed "the doyenne of dinosaur discovery," Lowery has found hundreds of bones and more than 100 dinosaur footprints.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• artist
• authority
• connoisseur
• doctor
• genius
• guru
• professional
• scientist