handsome

[ han-suhm ]

adjective

, hand·som·er, hand·som·est.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈhandsomely, adverb
• ˈhandsomeness, noun

Other Words From

• handsome·ish adjective
• handsome·ness noun
• super·handsome adjective

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

This becomes a problem when she goes on a date with — gasp — a handsome Alabama fan.

From Los Angeles Times

In the latter, a snarky comedy writer forges an unexpected love connection with a handsome musician she meets backstage at a “Saturday Night Live”-style sketch show.

From Los Angeles Times

But while being handsome and totally unqualified got Hegseth the job, it's unfair to say those are the only things he brings to the table.

From Salon

I loved “Jessie’s Girl,” like everybody else did, but he was too handsome.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s not only the show’s tragically doomed protagonist but also its storyteller, and he anchors the production with a handsome ordinariness.

From Los Angeles Times

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.