handsomely
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of handsomely
Explanation
To do something handsomely is to do it in a way that looks attractive or pleasing. If you arrange a bouquet of flowers handsomely, they'll look great even if they're in a pickle jar instead of a fancy vase. A teenage boy might aspire to dress handsomely for his senior prom, wearing a nice tuxedo and bow tie. Another meaning of handsomely is "generously," or "substantially," so if the boy's boss at the neighborhood pizza shop pays him handsomely, he'll also be able to rent a limousine to transport him and his date to the dance.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A dazzling art exhibition is set to launch it, and our narrator will be handsomely paid for his assistance—writing promotional material, helping the artist with his research.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026
If you incur that risk and the market does well, you most likely will be handsomely rewarded for incurring that risk.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Villa won but could have drawn - or equally triumphed more handsomely - during a game which went from comfortable to edgy to relief.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026
That strategy has paid off spectacularly -- coding is the rare AI skill that users are willing to pay handsomely for.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
“Sir—,” said Bono, “sir, if you don’t have interest in it, would you object if I should wear it? I reckon I could wear it handsomely, if I keep my body held just right.”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
