Handsome Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Published on June 27, 2026
"Handsome" typically describes a man as good-looking, but can also refer to a large or generous amount or something well-made and impressive. e.g., He received a handsome sum for his work on the project.
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Handsome Definitions
Pleasing in appearance, especially of a man.
He was considered very handsome, with striking features.
Having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing form.
The handsome stallion was the star of the horse show.
(Of an amount) Substantially large; considerable.
She donated a handsome amount to the charity.
Well-made and attractive in design or build.
The old library was a handsome building with classic architecture.
(Of literary work) Impressively crafted and eloquent.
His novel was not only compelling but also written in a handsome style.
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Providing good results or yields; profitable.
The investment turned out to be quite handsome.
Graceful and elegant in appearance or manner.
The diplomat's wife was known for her handsome demeanor.
Executed with skill and efficiency.
The deal was handsomely managed by the new director.
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
A handsome man.
A woman with a handsome face.
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
A handsome manor.
A sleek, handsome car.
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
A handsome reward.
Won by a handsome margin.
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
Did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Appropriate or fitting
A handsome location for the new school.
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Statuesque, beautiful in a masculine or otherwise imposing way.
She was either handsome or her uniform created a flattering effect but—being very nearsighted—he couldn't tell from this distance.
Good, appealing, appropriate.
(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
A handsome style
Generous or noble in character.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Ample; moderately large.
A handsome salary
Dexterous; skillful.
To render handsome.
Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; - applied to things as persons.
That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about.
For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented for him.
Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression; attractive; having symmetry and dignity; comely; - expressing more than pretty, and less than beautiful; as, a handsome man or woman; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate; as, a handsome style, etc.
Easiness and handsome address in writing.
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Ample; moderately large.
He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
To render handsome.
Pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion;
A fine-looking woman
A good-looking man
Better-looking than her sister
Very pretty but not so extraordinarily handsome
Our southern women are well-favored
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Generous or liberal, as in gifts or rewards.
The company gave him a handsome bonus for his years of service.
Morally upright, admirable, and respectable.
He was a handsome figure in local politics, respected by all.
Handsome Snonyms
Dapper
Neat and trim in dress and appearance; very spruce and stylish.
He looked particularly dapper in his new suit.
Striking
Attracting attention by reason of being unusual, extreme, or prominent.
Her striking beauty made her stand out in the crowd.
Sumptuous
Splendid and expensive-looking.
The banquet hall was decorated in a sumptuous style.
Elegant
Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
The elegant design of the dress won praises from everyone.
Generous
Showing a readiness to give more of something, especially money, than is strictly necessary or expected.
Her generous donation helped build the new school wing.
Ample
Enough or more than enough; plentiful.
He had ample opportunity to prove his skills.
Substantial
Of considerable importance, size, or worth.
They offered a substantial amount of money for the rare painting.
Stately
Having a dignified, unhurried, and grand manner; majestic in manner and appearance.
The stately mansion stood proudly on the hill.
Attractive
Pleasing to look at, especially physically.
The attractive actor was popular among moviegoers.
Statuesque
Attractively tall and dignified, typically used to describe women.
The statuesque model dominated the runway.
Handsome Idioms & Phrases
Pay a handsome compliment
To give a very flattering or generous compliment.
She paid him a handsome compliment on his professionalism.
Win handsome
To win comfortably or by a large margin.
The team won handsome in the championship game.
A handsome profit
A significantly large monetary gain.
The business venture yielded a handsome profit.
Handsome is as handsome does
One’s character and behavior are more important than one’s appearance.
He always said, Handsome is as handsome does, emphasizing deeds over looks.
Look handsome
To look good; often used in encouragement or approval.
You look handsome in that tailored suit!
Make it handsome
To do something well and thoroughly.
When he refurbished the car, he really made it handsome.
Handsome sum
Refers to a large amount of money.
He inherited a handsome sum from his late aunt.
Handsome is that handsome does
Similar to "handsome is as handsome does," focusing on behavior rather than looks.
She believed firmly that handsome is that handsome does.
Die handsome
To die in a dignified or desirable manner.
The old warrior wished to die handsome, in battle.
Handsome praise
High or exuberant praise.
His performance earned him handsome praise from the critics.
Turn out handsome
To end up well or satisfactorily.
Despite the challenges, the project turned out handsome.
Handsome reward
A reward that is particularly generous.
There’s a handsome reward for anyone who finds the lost dog.
Live handsome
To live in a comfortable and possibly luxurious way.
After years of hard work, they could finally live handsome.
Handsome offer
An offer that is particularly attractive or generous.
They received a handsome offer for their house.
Serve handsome
To serve well or adequately.
The chef served handsome portions at the dinner.
Handsome allowance
A notably large allowance or budget.
The company provided a handsome allowance for travel expenses.
Handsome appearance
Looking good or presenting well.
He made a handsome appearance at the gala.
Do handsome
To act generously or to improve something significantly.
He did handsome by donating anonymously to the cause.
Grow handsome
To become more attractive as one grows older.
He grew more handsome with each passing year.
Keep it handsome
To maintain dignity or aesthetics; to keep things looking good.
Even in defeat, they kept it handsome.
Handsome Example Sentences
She received a handsome salary increase after the promotion.
The young man was notably handsome, turning heads as he walked down the street.
They sold their startup for a handsome amount.
His grandfather was a handsome man, with a tall, robust frame.
The actor's handsome features made him perfect for leading roles.
They lived a handsome lifestyle, with luxurious vacations and fine dining.
The novel was written in a handsome style, captivating its readers.
She admired the handsome craftsmanship of the handmade furniture.
His new suit gave him a handsome look that impressed everyone at the meeting.
The company gave out handsome bonuses at the end of the year.
He always dressed in a handsome manner, choosing his outfits carefully.
The gardener kept the estate looking handsome throughout the year.
She was known for her handsome contributions to local charities.
The team made a handsome effort to win the league.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide handsome into syllables?
Handsome is divided as: hand-some.
What is the root word of handsome?
The root of "handsome" comes from the Middle English word "handsom," which means easy to handle or readily at hand.
How many syllables are in handsome?
Handsome has two syllables.
What is another term for handsome?
Another term for handsome is "attractive."
What is the verb form of handsome?
Handsome does not have a verb form; it is only an adjective.
What is a stressed syllable in handsome?
The first syllable in "handsome," "hand," is stressed.
How is handsome used in a sentence?
Handsome is used as an adjective to describe someone or something as good-looking, or to denote a generous amount.
Why is it called handsome?
It's called "handsome" likely from the Old Norse word "hanskr," meaning "easy to handle," indicating something desirable or pleasing.
What is the pronunciation of handsome?
Handsome is pronounced as /ˈhæn.səm/.
What is the opposite of handsome?
The opposite of handsome could be "unattractive" or "plain."
Is handsome an adverb?
No, handsome is not an adverb; it is an adjective.
What is the singular form of handsome?
Handsome is the same in both singular and plural forms as it is an adjective.
Is handsome a countable noun?
Handsome is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is handsome a collective noun?
Handsome is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is the word “handsome” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Handsome cannot be a direct or indirect object as it is an adjective.
Is handsome a vowel or consonant?
Handsome starts with a consonant.
Which vowel is used before handsome?
Typically, vowels are not specifically used before "handsome"; it depends on the sentence structure.
Which conjunction is used with handsome?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used when linking clauses involving "handsome."
What part of speech is handsome?
Handsome is an adjective.
What is the plural form of handsome?
Handsome does not change in the plural as it is an adjective.
Is handsome a noun or adjective?
Handsome is an adjective.
Is handsome an abstract noun?
No, handsome is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is the word handsome imperative?
No, handsome cannot be imperative as it is an adjective.
Which determiner is used with handsome?
Determiners such as "a" or "the" can be used with handsome depending on the context, e.g., "a handsome man."
Which preposition is used with handsome?
Prepositions commonly used with handsome include "in" and "with," depending on context.
Is handsome a negative or positive word?
Handsome is generally a positive word.
Is the handsome term a metaphor?
Handsome can be used metaphorically to describe things like amounts, suggesting they are pleasingly substantial.
Is the word handsome Gerund?
No, handsome is an adjective, not a gerund.
Which article is used with handsome?
The article "the" is often used with handsome, as in "the handsome actor."
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
