This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
beauty
[ byoo-tee ]
/ ˈbyu ti /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural beau·ties.
adjective
relating to or being something intended to enhance a person’s physical attractiveness: They have a wonderful handcrafted line of natural beauty products, including soaps, lip balm, scented oils, and moisturizer.Make time for yourself and book a relaxing beauty treatment in our first-class spa.
OTHER WORDS FOR beauty
2 belle.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of beauty
First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English be(a)ute, from Old French beaute; replacing Middle English bealte, from Old French beltet, from unattested Vulgar Latin bellitāt- (stem of unattested bellitās ), equivalent to Latin bell(us) “fine” + -itāt- noun suffix; see -ity
historical usage of beauty
English beauty comes from Middle English beaute, beaulte, from Anglo-French bealte, ultimately from an unrecorded Vulgar Latin noun bellitās (stem bellitāt-), a derivative of the Latin adjective bellus “pretty, handsome, charming, fine, pleasant, nice,” which is related to Latin bonus “good, virtuous.”
The progression of the various senses is: “(especially of a woman) physical attractiveness, grace, charm” (early 14th century); “(general) moral or intellectual excellence” (late 14th century); “(of a physical object) pleasing to the sight” and “a pleasing or beautiful quality” (both from the 15th century).
The colloquial, sometimes ironic sense, especially in the shortened noun beaut, “someone or something extraordinary, remarkable, or amazing,” was originally an Americanism dating to the first half of the 19th century.
The progression of the various senses is: “(especially of a woman) physical attractiveness, grace, charm” (early 14th century); “(general) moral or intellectual excellence” (late 14th century); “(of a physical object) pleasing to the sight” and “a pleasing or beautiful quality” (both from the 15th century).
The colloquial, sometimes ironic sense, especially in the shortened noun beaut, “someone or something extraordinary, remarkable, or amazing,” was originally an Americanism dating to the first half of the 19th century.
OTHER WORDS FROM beauty
non·beau·ty, noun, plural non·beau·ties.Words nearby beauty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use beauty in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for beauty
beauty
/ (ˈbjuːtɪ) /
noun plural -ties
the combination of all the qualities of a person or thing that delight the senses and please the mind
a very attractive and well-formed girl or woman
informal an outstanding example of its kindthe horse is a beauty
informal an advantageous featureone beauty of the job is the short hours
informal, old-fashioned a light-hearted and affectionate term of addresshello, my old beauty!
interjection
(NZ ˈbjuːdɪ) an expression of approval or agreementAlso (Scot, Austral, and NZ): you beauty
Word Origin for beauty
C13: from Old French biauté, from biau beautiful; see beau
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with beauty
beauty
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.