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.

Related Words

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