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

There was a time when both literature and the study of literature came under the delightful rubric belles lettres—beautiful letters.

From Wall Street Journal

The type of works considered, Nobel’s will says, should be ”not only belles lettres but other writings which, by virtue of their form and style possess literary value.”

From Time

He was the first writer to introduce a modern and European tone into belles lettres, and the first to refresh the sources of native thought from the springs of antique and Renaissance poetry.

From Project Gutenberg

He finished his collegiate studies honorably, having distinguished himself chiefly in rhetoric and belles lettres.

From Project Gutenberg

In the year 1767 his writings in belles lettres were issued in six volumes, edited by J. C. B�kman, his half-brother.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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