debutante

A débutante (from the French débutante, "female beginner") is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal presentation known as her "début".

Originally, it meant the young woman was eligible to marry, and part of the purpose was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select upper class circle.

This traditional event varies by region, but is typically referred to as a débutante ball if it is for a group of débutantes. A lone débutante might have her own "coming-out party", or she might have a party with a sister or other close relative.

In the United States, the term is used more often in the South, where débutantes are also referred to as Southern belles. Débutantes are usually recommended by a distinguished committee or sponsored by an established member of elite society.

Modern débutante balls are often charity events: the parents of the débutante donate a certain amount of money to the designated cause, and the invited guests pay for their tickets.

These balls may be elaborate formal affairs and involve not only "debs" but junior débutantes, escorts and ushers, flower girls and pages as well.