dame

[deym]

noun

1. (initial capital letter),  (in Britain)

   1. the official title of a female member of the Order of the British Empire, equivalent to that of a knight.

   2. the official title of the wife of a knight or baronet.

2. (formerly) a form of address to any woman of rank or authority.

3. a matronly woman of advanced age; matron.

4. Slang: Sometimes Offensive.,  a term used to refer to a woman.

   Some dame cut me off and almost caused an accident.

5. Ecclesiastical.,  a title of a nun in certain orders.

6. a mistress of a dame-school.

7. Archaic.,  the mistress of a household.

8. Archaic.,  a woman of rank or authority, especially a female ruler.

dame

¹

/ deɪm /

noun

1. (formerly) a woman of rank or dignity; lady

2. a nun who has taken the vows of her order, esp a Benedictine

3. archaic,  a matronly or elderly woman

4. slang,  a woman

5. Also called: pantomime dame. the role of a comic old woman in a pantomime, usually played by a man

Dame

²

/ deɪm /

noun

1. the title of a woman who has been awarded the Order of the British Empire or any of certain other orders of chivalry

2. the legal title of the wife or widow of a knight or baronet, placed before her name Compare Lady

   Dame Judith

Sensitive Note

Dame is sometimes perceived as insulting when used to refer generally to a woman, unless it is a woman of rank or advanced age.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dame¹

1175–1225; Middle English < Old French < Latin domina, feminine of dominus lord, master

Word History and Origins

Origin of dame¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin domina lady, mistress of a household

Example Sentences

The much-loved author, who was made a dame in 2008, admits she has long felt a particular affection for The Illustrated Mum and it "is one of my favourite books".

From BBC

Like a brassy classic dame, she says exactly what she means.

From Los Angeles Times

Hill explained his stepfather, Tony, had met his mother in an amateur dramatics group, and often wrote pantomimes and starred in them as the dame.

From BBC

Today’s glass and steel tower over the bones of what was once the grande dame of colonial luxury, the Hong Kong Hotel.

From Salon

She was made a dame by the late Queen Elizabeth II for services to fashion and journalism in 2017, and was made Companion of Honour by King Charles earlier this year.

From BBC