bon ton

[ bon ton; French bawn tawn ]

noun

1. good or elegant form or style.
2. something regarded as fashionably correct:

   The bon ton in this circle is to dress well and know influential people.

3. fashionable society.

bon ton

/ bɔ̃ tɔ̃ /

noun

1. sophisticated manners or breeding
2. fashionable society

Word History and Origins

Origin of bon ton¹

1765–75; < French: literally, good tone. See boon ², tone

Word History and Origins

Origin of bon ton¹

literally: good tone

Example Sentences

Secret societies however are anything but forbidden under Dutch rule in Java,—on the contrary, it is rather bon ton to belong to some one of the lodges of freemasonry existent out there.

From Project Gutenberg

He had the manners of a high-bred English gentleman, but that did not, of course, constitute the something that made him a favourite, because bon ton, manners are happily not rare.

From Project Gutenberg

Quite a child she was, hardly more than eight, but with all the quiet dignity and easy affability that is only to be found among children of the bon ton.

From Project Gutenberg

"I shall be � la mode, I shall be � la mode and very bon ton and tr�s bon ton."

From Project Gutenberg

They were the �lite, the bon ton, the upper crust, and were looked on as such by the other slaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civility
• decency
• decorum
• fitness
• rightness