handsome

[han-suhm]

adjective

handsomer, handsomest 

1. having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing appearance suggestive of health and strength; good-looking.

   a handsome man;

   a handsome woman.

   Antonyms: ugly

2. having pleasing proportions, relationships, or arrangements, as of shapes, forms, or colors; attractive.

   a handsome house;

   a handsome interior.

3. considerable, ample, or liberal in amount.

   a handsome fortune.

   Synonyms: munificent, generous, large
   Antonyms: scanty, scant, skimpy, meager

4. gracious; generous; flattering.

   a handsome compliment;

   a handsome recommendation.

   Antonyms: miserly, stingy, ungenerous

5. adroit and appealing; graceful.

   a handsome speech.

handsome

/ ˈhændsəm /

adjective

1. (of a man) good-looking, esp in having regular, pleasing, and well-defined features

2. (of a woman) fine-looking in a dignified way

3. well-proportioned, stately, or comely

   a handsome room

4. liberal or ample

   a handsome allowance

5. gracious or generous

   a handsome action

6. pleasant

   handsome weather

noun

1. a term of endearment for a beloved person, esp in my handsome

Other Word Forms

• handsomeish adjective
• handsomeness noun
• superhandsome adjective
• handsomely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of handsome¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English hondsom, handsum “easy to control, handy”; cognate with West Frisian hānsum “easy to control, convenient,” Dutch handzaam “easy to manage”; hand, -some ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of handsome¹

C15: handsom easily handled; compare Dutch handzaam; see _hand , _-some ¹

Example Sentences

“It does look handsome on you,” Ma says, fluffing the dashiki around me.

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They were a handsome middle-aged couple, very prosperous looking.

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She was a tall, handsome woman no older than sixty, dressed in a black crepe gown with a crisp white collar and cuffs, and a veiled cap pinned on top of her head.

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“Not only is the General Post Office a handsome building, it is a model of brisk efficiency as well,” she thought.

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The gentleman was tall and handsome, but I didn’t pay him any mind.

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Related Words

• attractive 
• beautiful 
• clean-cut 
• dapper 
• elegant 
• good-looking 
• graceful 
• lovely 
• personable 
• smart 
• smooth 
• stately 
• stylish 
• suave 

When To Use

What are other ways to say handsome?

Someone who is handsome is attractive with a well-proportioned appearance that is suggestive of health and strength. How does handsome compare with lovely, beautiful, and pretty? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.