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.
He may have lost some mainstream acceptance and his FX series, but has since lined his bank account and burnished his career quite handsomely.
From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026
Many investors in recent years have benefited handsomely from buying such a tech dip.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026
She could see they were getting paid handsomely to take in hundreds of shelter dogs annually, based on public records requests she filed.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026
Those bets would have paid off handsomely as UnitedHealth rallied after federal officials revised the 2027 payment rate higher in April.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
Soviet persistence and engineering skills have eventually paid off handsomely.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
