belles-lettres

[ French bel-le-truh ]

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 Words From

• bel·let·rist [bel-, le, -trist], noun
• bel·let·ris·tic [bel-li-, tris, -tik], 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.

Example Sentences

Charles de la Rue, a French Jesuit, died; distinguished as an orator and poet and a professor of belles-lettres.

From Project Gutenberg

There are usually three lectures daily; the first on sciences, and the other two on belles lettres.

From Project Gutenberg

In a single department of belles-lettres he had shown mastery.

From Project Gutenberg

Among his contributors of belles lettres we find the names of the authors just mentioned, and also several others.

From Project Gutenberg

They consequently reflect, like the belles lettres, the conditions under which the Jews are laboring.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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