billet-doux
Romantic written message
A billet-doux is a love letter—a short, tender note between romantic intimates.
The term comes from French meaning "sweet note" and retains a literary or playful quality in English: She kept his billets-doux tied with ribbon in a drawer.
Plural: billets-doux.
Written symbol or message
- epistleFormal literary letter
- missiveFormal letter sent
- noteShort written record
- messageTransmitted communication
correspondence · dispatch · postcard · mail · envelope · stationery · penmanship · ink
Romantic pursuit of another
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
- trystSecret romantic meeting
rendezvous · suitor · admirer · pursuit · coquetry · proposal · betrothal · romance
letter
Written symbol or message
message · correspondence · dispatch · postcard · mail · envelope · stationery · penmanship · ink · quill
wooing
Romantic pursuit of another
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- serenadeOutdoor romantic performance
tryst · rendezvous · suitor · admirer · pursuit · coquetry · proposal · betrothal · romance · swain
love
Intense fond attachment
amour · adore · cherish · devotion · infatuation · enamored · fondness · ardor · flame · paramour
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
hidden · concealed · furtive · confidential · private · illicit · forbidden · smuggled · tucked · slipped
- correspondenceletters, letter, handwritten letters, family letters, missives
- love letterslove letter, love note, mash note, love confession, valentine
- love noteslove letter, love note, mash note, valentine, sweet nothing
- lettersa, d, e, h, q
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
billet-douxDear John letter
Written romantic rejection
rejection letter · hate mail · poison-pen letter · farewell letter · goodbye letter