Doyen
noun
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
He was the doyen of British theatre.
Often appears as...
- doyen of the industry
- doyen of the field
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The senior member, as in years of service, of a group or profession.
The doyen of the department announced his retirement.
Often appears as...
- doyen of the department
- doyen of the club
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
He was the doyen of British theatre.
Often appears as...
- doyen of the industry
- doyen of the field
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The senior member, as in years of service, of a group or profession.
The doyen of the department announced his retirement.
Often appears as...
- doyen of the department
- doyen of the club
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Respect Implication
Using 'doyen' shows high respect for someone's achievements in their field.
She's considered the doyen of modern architecture.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Seniority
'Doyen' implies prominence beyond just being the oldest or longest-serving member.
Despite his youth, he is the doyen of jazz musicians.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Weight
In some cultures, a doyen may hold an influential social or moral position.
The village's doyen also advised the council.
Pro Tip 1/3Respect Implication
Using 'doyen' shows high respect for someone's achievements in their field.
She's considered the doyen of modern architecture.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Seniority
'Doyen' implies prominence beyond just being the oldest or longest-serving member.
Despite his youth, he is the doyen of jazz musicians.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Weight
In some cultures, a doyen may hold an influential social or moral position.
The village's doyen also advised the council.
Pro Tip 1/3Respect Implication
Using 'doyen' shows high respect for someone's achievements in their field.
She's considered the doyen of modern architecture.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Just Seniority
'Doyen' implies prominence beyond just being the oldest or longest-serving member.
Despite his youth, he is the doyen of jazz musicians.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Weight
In some cultures, a doyen may hold an influential social or moral position.
The village's doyen also advised the council.
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Quote examples
John Mortimer
English Novelist
My father was the doyen of the divorce barristers. He was an extremely erudite and very famous divorce barrister. So that, when I was a little boy in the nursery, instead of a story like 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' I used to get 'The Duchess and the Seven Correspondents.
Quote examples
Abhijit Banerjee
American Economist
Even Milton Friedman - doyen of radical free market thought - was willing to consider some government intervention into primary education on the grounds that it is unfair for children to not get a chance in life because they were born to poor parents.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
I owe a great deal to Harold Hobson, doyen drama critic of the 'U.K. Sunday Times,' who championed me as Shakespeare's Richard II at the 1969 Edinburgh Festival.
Quote examples
John Mortimer
English Novelist
My father was the doyen of the divorce barristers. He was an extremely erudite and very famous divorce barrister. So that, when I was a little boy in the nursery, instead of a story like 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' I used to get 'The Duchess and the Seven Correspondents.
Quote examples
Abhijit Banerjee
American Economist
Even Milton Friedman - doyen of radical free market thought - was willing to consider some government intervention into primary education on the grounds that it is unfair for children to not get a chance in life because they were born to poor parents.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
I owe a great deal to Harold Hobson, doyen drama critic of the 'U.K. Sunday Times,' who championed me as Shakespeare's Richard II at the 1969 Edinburgh Festival.
Example 1 of 3
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