Handsome vs. Attractive — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
Handsome typically refers to a pleasing masculine appearance, often formal and refined, while attractive is a broader term indicating general appeal, either physical or personality-wise.
Difference Between Handsome and Attractive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Handsome" is most commonly used to describe men with a particularly dignified, pleasing, and sometimes conventional physical appearance. On the other hand, "attractive" can refer to anyone or anything that has an appealing quality, making it a more versatile term.
Handsome often implies a certain classic, well-proportioned, and often symmetrical facial features associated with masculinity. Whereas, attractive is less specific to physical features and can also encompass charm, charisma, or other non-physical attributes.
The use of handsome usually carries an air of formality and is often used in a slightly more formal or old-fashioned context. On the other hand, attractive is widely used in casual and modern settings.
While handsome is almost exclusively used for human descriptions, attractive can be applied broadly, including to ideas, objects, or scenarios. This makes attractive a more flexible adjective in English.
In cultural depictions, characters described as handsome often have a strong, noble quality, reflecting traditional ideals of male beauty. In contrast, characters or people deemed attractive might simply possess traits that draw others to them, regardless of societal beauty standards.
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Comparison Chart
Gender Usage
Primarily used for men
Used for any gender
Connotation
Formal, classic beauty
General appeal, including charisma
Scope of Use
Mostly physical appearance
Physical and personality traits
Usage in Language
More formal and slightly old-fashioned
Broad and versatile
Cultural Depiction
Often linked with nobility and strength
Broadly appealing, various traits
Compare with Definitions
Handsome
Describing neat and skillful execution.
The carpenter did a handsome job on the cabinetry.
Attractive
Having the power to attract.
Magnetic personalities are naturally attractive to others.
Handsome
Pleasing and refined appearance in men.
The actor was considered classically handsome.
Attractive
Having qualities that draw attention or admiration.
His intelligence made him particularly attractive.
Handsome
Characterized by grandeur and impressiveness, especially in appearance.
The building’s handsome architecture drew in many visitors.
Attractive
Being desirable or sought after.
The job offer was attractive because of the high salary.
Handsome
Generous or large in amount or margin.
The company made a handsome profit this quarter.
Attractive
Capable of arousing interest or engaging one’s thought.
The idea was attractive for its simplicity and effectiveness.
Handsome
Imposing in size and quality.
He wore a handsome ring crafted from gold.
Attractive
Appealing or pleasing in appearance.
She found the landscape extremely attractive.
Handsome
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
A handsome man.
A woman with a handsome face.
Attractive
Pleasing or appealing to the senses
An attractive village
Foliage can be as attractive as flowers
Handsome
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
A handsome manor.
A sleek, handsome car.
Attractive
Pleasing to the senses or mind, as by being beautiful
Plants with attractive flowers.
An attractive painting.
Handsome
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
A handsome reward.
Won by a handsome margin.
Attractive
Interesting because of the likelihood of being advantageous or profitable
An attractive business deal.
Handsome
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
Did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Attractive
Having the power to attract
The attractive force of gravity.
Handsome
Appropriate or fitting
A handsome location for the new school.
Attractive
Causing attraction; having the quality of attracting by inherent force.
Handsome
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Attractive
Having the power of charming or alluring by agreeable qualities; enticing.
That's a very attractive offer.
Handsome
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Attractive
Pleasing or appealing to the senses, especially of a potential romantic partner.
He is an attractive fellow with a trim figure.
Handsome
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.
Attractive
Having the power or quality of attracting or drawing; as, the attractive force of bodies.
Handsome
Good, appealing, appropriate.
Attractive
Attracting or drawing by moral influence or pleasurable emotion; alluring; inviting; pleasing.
Flowers of a livid yellow, or fleshy color, are most attractive to flies.
Handsome
(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.
Attractive
That which attracts or draws; an attraction; an allurement.
Speaks nothing but attractives and invitation.
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
A handsome style
Attractive
Pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm;
A remarkably attractive young man
An attractive personality
Attractive clothes
A book with attractive illustrations
Handsome
Generous or noble in character.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Attractive
Having power to arouse interest;
An attractive opportunity
The job is attractive because of the pay
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
A handsome salary
Attractive
Having the properties of a magnet; the ability to draw or pull;
An attractive force
The knife hung on a magnetic board
Handsome
Dexterous; skillful.
Handsome
To render handsome.
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.
Handsome
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.
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate; as, a handsome style, etc.
Easiness and handsome address in writing.
Handsome
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
Handsome
To render handsome.
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
Handsome
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
Common Curiosities
Is attractive the same as beautiful?
Attractive is a broader term that includes qualities that appeal to the senses or emotions, while beautiful often refers specifically to aesthetic appeal.
Can a landscape be handsome?
Typically, landscapes are described as beautiful or stunning rather than handsome, which is reserved more for people.
What traits make someone attractive?
Attractiveness can be due to physical looks, personality traits like kindness or intelligence, or a combination of both.
Can attractiveness be enhanced?
Yes, attractiveness can be enhanced through grooming, style changes, or developing engaging personality traits.
Can women be described as handsome?
Yes, though less common, women can also be described as handsome, often implying a strong, distinguished appearance.
Why is attractiveness important?
Attractiveness can influence social interactions and personal relationships, often impacting first impressions.
What does it mean to be handsome?
Being handsome typically refers to a man who possesses a distinguished and aesthetically pleasing appearance.
How is handsome used in literature?
In literature, handsome is often used to describe characters with noble, heroic, or traditional masculine qualities.
What are some synonyms for handsome and attractive?
Synonyms for handsome include good-looking, striking; for attractive: appealing, charming.
Does handsome have to do with age?
Handsome does not necessarily relate to age, though it often implies a mature, refined appearance.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
