noun
Common
belle
behl
Belle (noun) means an attractive and much-admired woman, especially the most admired one in a particular group or place. Example: “She was the belle of the ball that evening.”
noun
1
An attractive and much-admired woman, especially the most admired one in a particular group or place.
"She was the belle of the ball that evening."
How to use belle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA beautiful, admired woman, often "the belle" of some event or place.
Common pairings
belle of the ball
southern belle
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Word forms
- Plural
- belles
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was the _____ of the ball that evening.
Etymology
From French belle, "beautiful," from Latin bella.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for belle
See all rhymes for belle →Frequently asked questions
What does “belle” mean?
The word “belle” means an attractive and much-admired woman, especially the most admired one in a particular group or place. In plain terms, a beautiful, admired woman, often "the belle" of some event or place.
How do you pronounce “belle”?
“Belle” is pronounced behl (/bɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “belle” in a sentence?
Here is “belle” used in a sentence: “She was the belle of the ball that evening.”
What part of speech is “belle”?
“Belle” is a noun.
Where does the word “belle” come from?
The word “belle” comes from Latin. From French belle, "beautiful," from Latin bella.
Is “belle” a common word?
“Belle” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "belle" and "beauty"?
"Belle" specifically refers to an attractive, much-admired woman, especially the most admired one in a particular group or setting, such as "the belle of the ball." "Beauty" is a broader term that can describe attractiveness in general or refer to any beautiful person or thing, not necessarily the most admired one present.
Is "belle" a common everyday word?
"Belle" is somewhat old-fashioned or literary and is used less often in ordinary modern speech than words like "beauty" or "stunner." It survives mainly in set phrases like "southern belle" or "belle of the ball."
