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
Amid a draft class in which tight ends were the belle of the ball, Shanahan and Lynch decided to exit the proceedings having completely ignored the position.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
This lovely cake will be the belle of the ball at any spring soiree.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
John Harbaugh, New York Giants Harbaugh was the belle of the ball after he was dismissed from the Ravens.
—Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 2 Feb. 2026
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
Be the belle of the ball Balls are another integral part of the Mardi Gras experience.
—Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 4 Nov. 2024
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Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Apr. 2026
This lovely cake will be the belle of the ball at any spring soiree.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
John Harbaugh, New York Giants Harbaugh was the belle of the ball after he was dismissed from the Ravens.
—Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 2 Feb. 2026
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
Be the belle of the ball Balls are another integral part of the Mardi Gras experience.
—Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 4 Nov. 2024
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 18 Jun. 2026.
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