Les Misérables

American  

[ley mee-zey-ra-bl^uh] / leɪ mi zeɪˈra blə /

noun

1. a novel (1862) by Victor Hugo.

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Les Misérables Cultural  

1. (1862) A novel by Victor Hugo. The central character, Jean Valjean, is sentenced to prison for stealing a single loaf of bread. Later, seeking respectability, Valjean is hounded by his archenemy, Inspector Javert.

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The broad canvas of Hugo's novel has been adapted for numerous films and a long-running Broadway (see also Broadway) musical (usually known as Les Miz).

Example Sentences

The role that propelled her to fame - Eponine in Les Misérables - was only possible because she was able to skip the audition process entirely.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

"She dreamt bigger than all of us," he told BBC News, referring to her 2009 Britain's Got Talent performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables.

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

At a young age, Bailey was an actor in the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in West End productions like "Les Misérables."

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2024

“The sewer is the conscience of the city,” wrote the poet and novelist Victor Hugo, of Les Misérables fame.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2024

There’s just this part of me that has to wallow, the part that cues up Les Misérables when I’m sad.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera