billet-doux

noun

bil·​let-doux ˌbi-lē-ˈdü 

ˌbi-(ˌ)lā-

plural billets-doux ˌbi-lē-ˈdü(z) 

ˌbi-(ˌ)lā-

: a love letter

Did you know?

When love is in the air, it's time to put it down on paper. If you ever find yourself having trouble thinking of Valentine's Day or anniversary gift ideas, how about sending your sweetie pie a billet-doux that reminds them of your perfect meet-cute, or invites them to see the latest rom-com? Wouldn’t that be sweet? In French, billet doux means "sweet letter." English writers first fell in love with the word during the 17th century and have been committed to using it as a romantic alternative to "love letter" ever since.

Examples of billet-doux in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only one painting, The Love Letter (on loan from the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands), is explicitly identified as a billet-doux, but all three are suggestive of interior dramas; secret vulnerabilities and joys; two selves reaching toward one another. —Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

French billet doux, literally, sweet letter

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for billet-doux

• amadou
• avenue
• ballyhoo
• baraboo
• barbecue
• barbeque
• bugaboo
• cabildo
• caribou
• cockatoo
• detinue
• devalue

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Kids Definition

billet-doux

noun

bil·​let-doux

ˌbil-ē-ˈdü,

ˌbil-(ˌ)ā-

plural billets-doux

-ˈdü(z)

: a love letter

Etymology

French, literally, "sweet letter"