deb
/deb/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A debutante; a young woman making her formal debut into upper-class society: The word "deb" is a chiefly American, informal shortening of "debutante." It refers to a young woman, typically from a wealthy or aristocratic family, who is introduced to society at a formal ball or party, marking her entrance into adult social life.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- She was the most talked-about deb at the annual cotillion.
- In the 1950s, her mother had been a prominent deb in New York society.
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries connotations of wealth, privilege, and a specific social ritual. It is sometimes used historically or with a slightly critical tone to describe a bygone era of strict social customs.
- The novel satirizes the world of the 1920s deb and her search for a suitable husband.
Variants and Related Words
- Debutante (n): The full, formal term from which "deb" is derived. It means a young woman making a formal debut into society.
- The debutante ball is a tradition in many cities.
- Deb ball (n): An informal term for a debutante ball, the event where debs are presented.
- She spent months preparing for her deb ball.
Synonyms
- Debutante: The formal equivalent.
- Budding socialite: A young woman beginning to participate prominently in fashionable society.
Antonyms
- There is no direct antonym, but contrasting terms could include wallflower (a shy person who remains on the sidelines at a social event) or bohemian (a person with an unconventional lifestyle, often outside formal society).
Notes on Usage
- "Deb" is an informal, somewhat dated term. Its use today is often nostalgic, historical, or found in specific contexts like period dramas, literature, or discussions of traditional high-society customs.
- It is primarily used in American English but is understood in other varieties of English due to cultural exposure.
Noun
- a young woman making her debut into society