plural beau mondes bō-ˈmän(d)z How to pronounce beau monde (audio) or beaux mondes bō-ˈmōⁿd How to pronounce beau monde (audio)
: the world of high society and fashion

Examples of beau monde in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The Piaget Polo personifies the flamboyance and irreverence of the time, and is quickly adopted by the beau monde and global jet set. Ming Liu, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Fully updated with modern technologies such as a Sonos sound system, the home’s swanky, romantic décor is the handiwork of Sera Hersham-Loftus of Sera of London, whose list of clients reads like a who’s who of London’s beau monde, from Kate Moss and Sadie Frost to David Attenborough and Twiggy. Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2023 Prominently sited above the seaside fishing village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, a favorite summer destination for the beau monde, the 18-bedroom villa measures a whopping 27,000 square feet and sports 10 acres of terraced gardens. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2023 After working locally as a photographer, she was launched precociously into France’s artistic beau monde when, through a personal connection, the impresario and director Jean Vilar invited her to photograph his theatre festival in Avignon and his theatre company in Paris. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 14 July 2023 Even an early summer torrential downpour couldn’t stop New York’s beau monde from coming out to Balthazar for Chanel’s annual Tribeca Festival Artists Dinner—and dressed to the nines (thanks to the French house’s creative director, Virginie Viard) no less. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 13 June 2023 Many of the stunning dresses on display were donated by the likes of Princess Grace of Monaco; the American philanthropist Rachel Mellon, known as Bunny; Balenciaga’s friend and protégé, Hubert de Givenchy; and other beau monde figures. Andrew Ferren, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2023 Lost Illusions exposes the roots of journalistic corruption, finding it in the beau monde’s ruthlessness and Lucien’s ambition. Armond White, National Review, 10 June 2022 Deren, whose coterie had expanded to include many in the downtown artistic beau monde, became a major socialite in bohemian circles, turning the couple’s apartment into a center of parties and gatherings, and her connections proved galvanic. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, fine world

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beau monde was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near beau monde

Cite this Entry

“Beau monde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beau%20monde. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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