Grandee

Grandee ( /ɡrənˈdiː/) is the word used to render in English the Iberian high aristocratic title or rank of Grande (, ; literally "Great, Grand"), used by the Spanish nobility, Portuguese nobility and Brazilian nobility. The rank was a rough equivalent of the Peerage of England or Peerage of France, and carried — increasingly as time went on — certain personal privileges, but the Grandees had no powers as a group.

It can refer to other people of a somewhat comparable, exalted position, roughly synonymous with magnate; a formal upper level of the nobility (especially when it carried the right to a parliamentary seat). By extension the term can refer informally to any important person of high status, particularly a wealthy, land owning, long-time resident in an area.

The term is often used in the United Kingdom to refer to influential members of long-standing in the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats.