belle

¹

[ bel ]

noun

1. a woman or girl admired for her beauty and charm.
2. the most beautiful, charming, or engaging woman or girl among a number:

   the belle of the ball.

Belle

²

[ bel ]

noun

1. a female given name, form of Bella.

belle

/ bɛl /

noun

1. a beautiful girl or woman
2. the most attractive or admired girl or woman at a place, function, etc (esp in the phrase the belle of the ball )

Word History and Origins

Origin of belle¹

1615–25; < French; Old French bele < Latin bella, feminine of bellus fine, good-looking. See beau

Word History and Origins

Origin of belle¹

C17: from French, feminine of beau

Example Sentences

Helen Hayes-nominated actress Jade Jones stars as Belle, and tap dancer Evan Ruggiero, whose right leg was amputated while being treated for a rare bone cancer, will co-star as the Beast.

From Washington Post

The tale is directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge and stars out actor Jade Jones as Belle and Evan Ruggiero as the Beast.

From Washington Blade

The writers never seemed to know what to do with the burgeoning activist, who was fired from Scarlet midway through the series’ run and ended up, uh, running for city council before serving drinks at the Belle.

From Washington Post

Belle would certainly not think him fineAnd with nary a pause would swipe left.

From Washington Post

Once again, publishers are the belles of the advertising ball.

From Digiday

This was also the year Duke University student Belle Knox put college girls on the map.

From The Daily Beast

Ah, gay Paree—the French capital has practically announced its own LGBT friendliness since the Belle Époque.

From The Daily Beast

A few years back, Belle and Sebastian even penned a song, “Suicide Girl,” about a woman trying to audition to be one.

From The Daily Beast

So who better to help guide these newcomers through sudden fame than Belle herself?

From The Daily Beast

Revealing herself as both Miriam Weeks and alter ego Belle Knox made her feel vulnerable.

From The Daily Beast

D'o l'on peut aussy veoir, quelle esperance il y a de planter une belle chrestient par tels evangelistes.

From Project Gutenberg

Il avoit sa belle robe soubs soy (car c'estoit en est), et se preparoit sa harangue funebre.

From Project Gutenberg

Ce qu'il fit dressant sur le havre une fort belle croix, avec les armes de France.

From Project Gutenberg

Pentegot est une fort belle riviere, et peut 48 estre compare la Garonne de France.

From Project Gutenberg

Sur le confluant des deux rivieres, y avoit la plus belle assemble des Sauvages que j'aye point encore veue.

From Project Gutenberg