débutante
Newly presented socialite
A débutante is a young woman making her formal entrance into society, traditionally at a ball or similar event marking her eligibility for marriage.
The term evokes wealth and aristocratic tradition—débutante balls persist in some social circles.
More loosely, débutante describes any woman at the beginning of a career or public life: a political débutante.
Also spelled debutante.
Formal society dance event
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- curtsyRespectful knee-bending gesture
- coming-outPublic declaration of identity
gown · escort · waltz · ceremony · tradition · invitation · chaperone · tiara
System of noble ranks
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- bluebloodPerson of noble birth
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- high societyThe social elite
titled · landed · heiress · finishing school · etiquette · lineage · pedigree · old money
Festive formal occasion
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
- seasonYearly division or series
patroness · gossip column · networking · benefit · luncheon · garden party · sponsor · dowager
Effortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- refinementElegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- cultivatedImproved through nurture
genteel · polished · mannered · decorous · charming · demure · ladylike · finishing
cotillion
Formal society dance event
- ballSpherical plaything or gala
- presentationFormal display to viewers
- curtsyRespectful knee-bending gesture
coming-out · gown · escort · waltz · ceremony · tradition · invitation · chaperone · tiara · gloves
peerage
System of noble ranks
high society · titled · landed · heiress · finishing school · etiquette · lineage · pedigree · old money · dynasty
gala
Festive formal occasion
- philanthropyGenerous giving for others
- charityVoluntary aid for others
- soiréeFormal nighttime social gathering
season · patroness · gossip column · networking · benefit · luncheon · garden party · sponsor · dowager · matchmaking
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- refinementElegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
cultivated · genteel · polished · mannered · decorous · charming · demure · ladylike · finishing · comportment
débutantedowager
Titled widow of nobility
grande dame · doyenne · matriarch · old hand · old guard
débutantesocial outcast
Rejected, excluded individual
outsider · commoner · nouveau riche · parvenu · pariah