Doyen — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈdȯi-ən/ doy·en

Meaning & Definition of Doyen

Doyen (noun)

  1. the senior member of a body or group
  2. a person considered to be knowledgeable or uniquely skilled as a result of long experience in some field of endeavor
  3. the oldest example of a category

Doyen (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person with long experience in a specified area

    "considered the doyen of American art critics"

    similar: old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, veteran, warhorse
    related: doyenne, adept, dab hand (chiefly British), expert, guru, hand, master, maven, past master, pro, professional
    opposite: beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro
    near: apprentice, cub, boot, novitiate, amateur, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer

  2. the senior member of a group

    "he's the doyen of American museum directors, and his opinion has considerable weight"

    similar: dean, elder, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor, senior
    related: better, superior, old hand, old-timer, vet, veteran
    opposite: baby, junior
    near: doyenne, inferior, subordinate, underling, beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Doyen

The most common words with a similar meaning to Doyen:

old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, veteran, warhorse, dean, elder, elder statesman, éminence grise, nestor, senior

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Doyen

Words with the opposite meaning of Doyen:

beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie, newcomer, novice, recruit, rookie, tenderfoot, tyro, baby, junior

Related Words for Doyen

doyenne, adept, dab hand, expert, guru, hand, master, maven, past master, pro, professional, better, superior

Near Antonyms of Doyen

apprentice, cub, boot, novitiate, amateur, dilettante, learner, student, trainee, candidate, entrant, probationer, doyenne, inferior, subordinate, underling

Origin & Etymology of Doyen

French, from Old French deien, from Late Latin decanus dean dean

First known use: 1670

Frequently Asked Questions about Doyen

What does "Doyen" mean?

"Doyen" means the senior member of a body or group. As a noun, it is defined as: the senior member of a body or group. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Doyen"?

Other words for "Doyen" include old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, veteran, warhorse, dean and elder. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Doyen" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Doyen"?

There are 25 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Doyen". Common alternatives include old hand, old-timer, stager, vet, veteran, warhorse, dean, elder, elder statesman and éminence grise.

What is the opposite of "Doyen"?

Antonyms of "Doyen" include beginner, colt, fledgling, freshman, greenhorn, neophyte, newbie and newcomer. Near antonyms include apprentice, cub, boot and novitiate.

How do you use "Doyen" in a sentence?

Examples of "Doyen" in a sentence: "considered the doyen of American art critics"; "he's the doyen of American museum directors, and his opinion has considerable weight".

Is "Doyen" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Doyen" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Doyen"?

"Doyen" is pronounced /ˈdȯi-ən/ and divided into syllables as doy·en.

What is the origin of the word "Doyen"?

"Doyen" comes from French, from Old French deien, from Late Latin decanus dean dean. First known use: 1670.