belle

noun \ ˈbel \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 2018

Definition of belle

: a popular and attractive girl or woman; especially : a girl or woman whose charm and beauty make her a favorite

the belle of the ball

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Recent Examples of belle from the Web

Steadman described meeting a blonde southern belle at the Pendennis Club who asked him to draw her picture.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Artist remembers 1970 Kentucky Derby with Hunter S. Thompson," 2 May 2018
Unforgettably, his faded Southern belle describes the loneliness and loss of middle age as one long walk to the graveyard.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "Dobama Theatre's 'Appropriate' is Long Day's Journey Into White (review)," 26 Apr. 2018
La belle boat neck: The boat neck, or bateau neckline, was one of the most notable design elements of Markle’s wedding gown.

— tony bravo, San Francisco Chronicle, "The Markle effect: 6 wedding trends inspired by the royal wedding," 30 May 2018
Riley Papile and her girlfriend Abby Creneti are setting themselves up to be the (taco) belles of their high school ball.

— eileen reslen, Seventeen, "This Teen Couple Took Their Prom Pictures at a Taco Bell and the Internet Is Here For It," 9 May 2018
All the Years of Dannielynn Birkhead at the Kentucky Derby with Dad Like previous years, Dannielynn was dressed to the nines — this time wearing a white silk Southern belle gown with blue hydrangea appliqués from Lesy boutique.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Anna Nicole Smith's Daughter Dannielynn Birkhead, 11, Beams at the Kentucky Derby," 5 May 2018
Best not to mess with any Southern belles–but especially not these powerful women.

— Southern Living, "5 Super-Successful Southern Women," 30 Apr. 2018
Six Sisters Boutique The vibe is Southern belle with sass at this lifestyle and clothing shop that opened last August in a former hardware store.

— New York Times, "Five Places to Go in Louisville," 25 Apr. 2018
McVay was the tight ends coach under Kyle Shanahan and now is the coach of the year, belle of the ball.

— peter king, SI.com, "On Draft QBs, Trade Rumors and a New Rule That Might Change Football Forever," 1 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'belle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of belle

French, from feminine of beau beautiful — more at beau

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1622

in the meaning defined above

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BELLE Defined for English Language Learners

belle

noun

Definition of belle for English Language Learners

: a very attractive and popular girl or woman

BELLE Defined for Kids

belle

noun \ ˈbel \

Definition of belle for Students

: an attractive and popular girl or woman

Learn More about belle

See words that rhyme with belle Spanish Central: Translation of belle Nglish: Translation of belle for Spanish speakers

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belle

Definition of belle

Recent Examples of belle from the Web

Origin and Etymology of belle

BELLE Defined for English Language Learners

belle

Definition of belle for English Language Learners

BELLE Defined for Kids

belle

Definition of belle for Students

Learn More about belle

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Definition of belle for English Language Learners

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