belles-lettres

[bel-le-tr^uh]

plural noun

1. literature regarded as a fine art, especially as having a purely aesthetic function.

2. light and elegant literature, especially that which is excessively refined, characterized by aestheticism, and minor in subject, substance, or scope.

belles-lettres

/ bɛllɛtrə /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) literary works, esp essays and poetry, valued for their aesthetic rather than their informative or moral content

Other Word Forms

• belletrist noun
• belletristic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of belles-lettres¹

1700–10; from French: literally, “fine letters.” See belle, letter ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of belles-lettres¹

C17: from French: fine letters

Synonym Study

See literature.

Related Words

• article 
• biography 
• brochure 
• composition 
• drama 
• essay 
• history 
• information 
• leaflet 
• lore 
• novel 
• pamphlet 
• poetry 
• prose 
• research 
• story