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

He described Jesus as “handsome, with brown hair, a trimmed beard and a white gown,” delivering commands directly to his mind.

From Salon

“You wanted to help writers and filmmakers like me who were shut out to create characters not seen before, and you did. You could have just been handsome. But you nurtured us.”

From Los Angeles Times

Redford occupies an iconic romantic permanence — part of that is his handsome aloofness, an appeal that never quite became approachable, even as his good looks were almost scarily perfect.

From Los Angeles Times

The handsome face is a digital photograph fabricated through sophisticated forensic techniques currently used by law enforcement to determine things like the appearance of murder victims.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s also played by Cena, a retiring professional wrestler who embodies the white American male ideal – brawny, handsome, a good guy.

From Salon

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.