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Glite Dictionary
beau monde

beau monde

1 9.9
People who are wealthy and fashionable and attend fancy parties and important social events
  • noun
  • /boʊ mɒnd/
translation icon : alta sociedad

Examples

  • —don't we all know that you lead the ton in the beau monde?

    Academic text (2018)

  • The Plaza Athenee has been host to beau monde since it first opened its elegant doors in 1911.

  • At the gala, everyone was dressed to impress, showcasing the latest trends to the beau monde of the city.

  • The beau monde gathered at the art exhibit, celebrating the newest works from renowned artists.

Synonyms

society
vsbeau monde
111 5.8

Rich, fashionable people with social influence

is narrower, denoting the specific fashionable circles rather than the whole community
high society
vsbeau monde
9 4.2

A group of rich, fashionable people with social influence

focuses on fashionable prominence rather than wealth or wide influence
glitterati
vsbeau monde
  • Literature
4 8.6

Famous stylish people who go to glamorous events

covers fashionable people generally, not only those with public fame
jet set
vsbeau monde
1 6.8

A group of rich fashionable people who often travel for pleasure

is about fashionable society overall, not specifically travel or wealth
smart set
vsbeau monde
  • Archaic
1 8.2

A group of fashionable people in high society

is broader, meaning the fashionable circle without stressing social rank
bon ton
vsbeau monde
  • Formal
9.9

A fashionable group of people with polite manners and stylish clothes

is less about refined manners and more about general fashionable membership
ultra-fashionable
vsbeau monde
6.0

People who are very stylish and set new fashion trends

applies to fashionable groups broadly, not only the most trendsetting members
fashion crowd
vsbeau monde
3.9

A group of people who like new clothes and styles

is about prominence in fashionable circles rather than mere interest in trends

Antonyms

common people
16 1.3

People who are not rich or powerful

How Fashionable

high society
9 4.2
beau monde
1 9.9
circle
318 3.3

Surface Forms

beau monde singular
beau mondes plural

Morphology

beau + monde

This is a French loanphrase whose meaning ('fashionable society') can be partially inferred from the constituents—'beau' (fashionable/dandy) + 'monde' (world/people) → 'world of the fashionable'. However, it is not a standard English compositional pattern and understanding depends on knowing the non‑English elements and their senses, so the relation is only partly predictable for learners.

Etymology

The noun beau monde comes from French: beau means 'beautiful' and monde means 'world'. It pictured a 'beautiful world' of well-dressed, important people, and that's why it now means 'fashionable society'.