Pronunciation: [dˈɔ͡ɪən] (IPA) 
Doyen (/'dɔɪən/) is a spelling that may cause some confusion due to its French origin. The word refers to the most senior or respected member of a group, especially within the world of the arts or academia. The "doyen" spelling is derived from the French word "doyen," which means "dean." It can be spelled phonetically as /do̯ᵻˈjɛn/ or with a silent "n" as /do̯jɛː/. Both of these spellings are considered correct in English.
Doyen, noun, pronounced [doi-en]
1. A doyen is a person who is regarded as the most experienced, knowledgeable, or respected individual in a particular field or profession. This term is often used to refer to someone who has been involved in their area of expertise for a significant amount of time, and whose opinions and advice are highly valued. The doyen is typically seen as a senior figure, esteemed for their wisdom and expertise, and often acts as a mentor or guide for others in the field.
2. Additionally, doyen can also denote the longest-serving member of a particular group or organization, especially within an academic, professional, or cultural context. In this sense, the doyen might have held their position for many years and is revered for their contributions, achievements, and overall influence in their respective field or industry.
3. It is worth noting that the term "doyen" is often used to refer to males, but it can be applied to both genders. Synonyms for doyen include "dean," "elder," "leader," "veteran," or "pioneer," depending on the context.
The word "doyen" originated from the French word "doyen," which means "dean" or "senior." It first entered the English language in the early 19th century and has since become a widely recognized term to describe someone who is deemed an authority or a highly respected figure within their field.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "doyen" is derived from the French language. It is a borrowing from Old French "deien", which was derived from Latin "decānus". In Latin, "decānus" originally referred to the head of a group of ten individuals. Later, it came to be used in ecclesiastical contexts to refer to a ranking official, such as the head of a chapter or a dean. The word "doyen" entered the English language in the late 17th century with the meaning "the senior member of a group", and it is still used today to refer to someone who represents experience, seniority, or expertise in a particular field.
