bête noire
noun | /bête noire/
Foreign Words & PhrasesFrenchMEDIUM
a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads
Literal meaning:
"black beast"
bête noire
noun | /bête noire/
Foreign Words & PhrasesFrenchMEDIUMa person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads
Literal meaning:
"black beast"
Learning Progress
Examples
"Traffic jams are his bête noire during the commute."
"Public speaking remains my bête noire despite practice."
Mnemonic Trick
Think: beast you hate → something you dread
Source: Foreign Words & PhrasesAdded: 9/28/2025
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