Phrase guide

beauty and the beast

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An aesthetic in heavy metal, etc. that contrasts "angelic" female vocals with (usually male, but sometimes also female as in Spiritbox, Faetooth, etc.) growls or aggressive singing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From the traditional fairy tale. See Beauty and the Beast at Wikipedia.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: kaunotar ja hirviö — two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other
  • Finnish: kulkuri ja kaunotar — two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other
  • Macedonian: убавицата и ѕверот (ubavicata i dzverot) — two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other
  • Polish: piękniejsza i brzydsza osoba — two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other
  • Portuguese: a bela e a fera — two individuals, usually but not necessarily romantically involved, one of whom is considerably more attractive than the other