belle

noun

ˈbel 

: a popular and attractive girl or woman

especially : a girl or woman whose charm and beauty make her a favorite

the belle of the ball

Examples of belle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ahead of Election Day Cyclorama: The Shape of Things contains a wide spread of imagery: footage on both pro- and anti-segregation riots, recordings from antiquated circus acts featuring a dancing elephant, silhouettes of what appear to be Southern belles in hoop skirts that laugh over tea. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Bre Morris Another Southern belle to watch, Bre Morris kicked off convocation with Jimmy Choo sneakers. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2024

Cate Blanchett has played queens, prime ministers, psychiatrists, artists, hipsters, thieves, Southern belles, evil stepmothers, Norse deities, Nazis, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Dylan, and an elf. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2024

Each of Parton's four bites were inspired by the Southern belle and classic desserts, like the Peachy Keen Cobbler and The Banana Pudding Pie donuts. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from feminine of beau beautiful — more at beau

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing belle

• belle epoque
• belle-lettrist
• belle-lettristic
• the belle of the ball

Kids Definition

belle

noun

ˈbel 

: a popular attractive girl or woman

Etymology

French belle "a beautiful girl," from belle (adjective), feminine form of beau "beautiful," from Latin bellus "pretty" — related to beau, beauty