the belle of the ball
noun phrase
old-fashioned
: the most beautiful and popular woman at a dance, party, etc.
She was the belle of the ball.
Examples of the belle of the ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Oscar nominations 2026 are finally here—and after months of speculation and predictions and chatter, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has emerged as the belle of the ball.
—
Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, Connor Storrie was the belle of the ball at not one, but two Hollywood fêtes.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
Release: Four episodes available on premiere day, with four episodes following on February 26
Where to watch: Netflix
Stars: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Claudia Jessie, Katie Leung, and Nicola Coughlan
Second eldest Bridgerton Benedict (Thompson) is finally the belle of the ball.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
But the belle of the ball was a cow named Armour Rose that sold for $2,500 (almost $99,000 in 2025) to future Nevada Governor John Sparks.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, in New York City, Anne Hathaway continues to dazzle on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2, while Regina King is the belle of the ball at A Toast To Hollywood Royalty: Celebrating Regina King.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Boeser was the belle of the ball in a lean market, and league sources said Guerin would have even offered him up to a six-year deal.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 July 2025
Sam Bennett is going to be the belle of the ball, and almost certainly out of Colorado’s price range.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) to become the belle of the ball in a film that bitingly examines body image and beauty standards.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
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Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 22 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, Connor Storrie was the belle of the ball at not one, but two Hollywood fêtes.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 8 Jan. 2026
Release: Four episodes available on premiere day, with four episodes following on February 26
Where to watch: Netflix
Stars: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Claudia Jessie, Katie Leung, and Nicola Coughlan
Second eldest Bridgerton Benedict (Thompson) is finally the belle of the ball.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 29 Dec. 2025
But the belle of the ball was a cow named Armour Rose that sold for $2,500 (almost $99,000 in 2025) to future Nevada Governor John Sparks.
—Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
Meanwhile, in New York City, Anne Hathaway continues to dazzle on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2, while Regina King is the belle of the ball at A Toast To Hollywood Royalty: Celebrating Regina King.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Boeser was the belle of the ball in a lean market, and league sources said Guerin would have even offered him up to a six-year deal.
—Michael Russo, New York Times, 1 July 2025
Sam Bennett is going to be the belle of the ball, and almost certainly out of Colorado’s price range.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes (Thea Sofie Loch Næss) to become the belle of the ball in a film that bitingly examines body image and beauty standards.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“The belle of the ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20belle%20of%20the%20ball. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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