Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
billet-doux
noun
/ˌbɪl.eɪ ˈduː/
Definition
A love letter, typically a romantic or affectionate note written to someone special.
Examples
- He surprised her with a billet-doux tucked under her favorite book.
- Throughout the courtship, she cherished all the billet-doux he wrote to her.
- The old letters she found were filled with the kind of passionate words typically found in a billet-doux.
Meaning
The term originates from the French language, where ‘billet’ means a short letter or note, and ‘doux’ means sweet; hence it literally translates to ‘sweet note.’ It conveys deep emotional sentiments often associated with romantic relationships.
Synonyms
- love letter
- valentine
- note
