debutante

noun

deb·​u·​tante ˈde-byu̇-ˌtänt How to pronounce debutante (audio)
Synonyms of debutantenext
: one making a debut (see debut entry 1) : debutant
especially : a young woman making her formal entrance into society

Examples of debutante in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For young Black girls, cotillions and debutante balls are more than just a coming of age ceremony. — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026 Cape Verde, Curaçao and Jordan are also among the debutantes. — Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 9 June 2026 The Deb tells the story of two female cousins navigating their awkward adolescence ahead of the annual debutante ball, which is like prom. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 May 2026 Portugal vs Uzbekistan Portugal's second match in Houston will be against debutante Uzbekistan. — Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debutante

Word History

Etymology

French débutante, feminine of débutant — see debutant

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of debutante was in 1801

Rhymes for debutante

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Browse Nearby Words

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debutante
debutante pink
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Cite this Entry

“Debutante.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debutante. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

debutante

noun
deb·​u·​tante ˈdeb-yu̇-ˌtänt How to pronounce debutante (audio)
: a young woman making her debut

More from Merriam-Webster on debutante

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for debutante

Nglish: Translation of debutante for Spanish Speakers

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