Definition

A person who writes literary works, especially those that are considered to be artistic or imaginative rather than purely informative.

Example

The belletrist captivated the audience with her beautifully crafted stories.

Conversation

Have you ever read anything by a famous belletrist?

Not really, but I've heard they write beautiful prose.

Yeah, I love how a good belletrist can capture emotions so vividly.

Absolutely! It's like they can paint pictures with words.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Belletrist → It is formed from "belle" (from French, meaning beautiful) and "trist" (from Latin "tristis", meaning sad or sorrowful). The term originally referred to a writer of beautiful literature, often with a focus on aesthetic rather than didactic qualities.

Memory Tip

Think of 'belle' meaning beautiful, which helps you remember that a 'belletrist' is someone who writes beautiful literature.

Visually Confused Words