Belles-Lettres

C1 16+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /bel-let-ruhz/

Definitions of belles-lettres

noun a category of writing that is valued for its aesthetic qualities and literary style rather than its informative content

Example Sentences

A1 I enjoy reading belles-lettres, such as fairy tales and fables.

A2 The library has a section dedicated to belles-lettres, including classic novels and poetry.

B1 Studying belles-lettres can help improve language skills and cultural understanding.

B2 Her thesis focused on the impact of belles-lettres on society during the Romantic period.

C1 The professor's expertise in belles-lettres is evident in her insightful literary analyses.

C2 The award-winning author is known for her contributions to the world of belles-lettres.

Examples of belles-lettres in a Sentence

formal The professor's expertise in belles-lettres is evident in her insightful analysis of classic literature.

informal I enjoy reading belles-lettres in my spare time to relax and unwind.

slang I never really got into that whole belles-lettres thing, I prefer more modern literature.

figurative Her writing style is like a beautiful tapestry, weaving together elements of belles-lettres with contemporary themes.

Grammatical Forms of belles-lettres

past tense

wrote

plural

belles-lettres

comparative

more belles-lettres

superlative

most belles-lettres

present tense

writes

future tense

will write

perfect tense

has written

continuous tense

is writing

singular

belle-lettre

positive degree

beautiful letters

infinitive

to write

gerund

writing

participle

written

Origin and Evolution of belles-lettres

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: French
Story behind the word: The term 'belles-lettres' originated in France and translates to 'fine letters' or 'beautiful literature'. It was used to refer to literary works that were considered to be of high quality and artistic merit.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'belles-lettres' has come to encompass a wider range of literary works beyond just those of high artistic merit, including essays, criticism, and other forms of creative writing.