Handsome vs. Ugly — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
Handsome typically describes a pleasing, attractive appearance in men, while ugly refers to something unpleasant or repulsive to look at, regardless of gender.
Difference Between Handsome and Ugly
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Handsome is often used to commend the physical appearance of men, implying a certain level of sophistication, charm, and attractiveness. It conveys a positive evaluation of appearance, suggesting that the person or object possesses qualities that are aesthetically pleasing. On the other hand, ugly denotes the absence of beauty or an appearance that is harsh or displeasing to the senses, applying broadly across contexts beyond human appearance, including objects and situations.
While "handsome" can also imply a sense of proportion, balance, and understated elegance, often reflecting cultural standards of beauty, "ugly" suggests a deviation from these standards. The perception of ugliness can be influenced by societal norms and personal preferences, making it subjective. However, it universally communicates a negative reaction towards the appearance or aesthetic of the subject in question.
In addition to physical appearance, "handsome" can describe generosity or largeness in quantity (e.g., a handsome sum of money), indicating that its applications can extend beyond mere aesthetics to reflect value or quality. Conversely, "ugly" can characterize not just physical traits but behaviors and situations that are morally reprehensible or socially unacceptable, extending its use beyond the literal sense to describe figuratively unattractive or undesirable circumstances.
The term "handsome" often carries a tone of respect and admiration, suggesting that the person not only looks appealing but also might possess other commendable qualities. Whereas, "ugly" can carry a strong emotional weight, eliciting feelings of disgust or aversion, and may be used more cautiously in personal contexts due to its potential to harm or offend.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Attractive and pleasing in appearance.
Unpleasant or repulsive in appearance.
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Connotation
Positive, often implying sophistication.
Negative, suggesting a lack of beauty.
Usage Context
Primarily describes men or quantities.
Applies to people, objects, and situations.
Cultural Perception
Reflects cultural standards of beauty.
Deviates from beauty standards; subjective.
Beyond Appearance
Can indicate generosity or quality.
Extends to behaviors and circumstances.
Compare with Definitions
Handsome
Generous or substantial in quantity or quality.
They donated a handsome sum to the charity.
Ugly
Unpleasant or repulsive to look at.
The sculpture's design was criticized for being ugly.
Handsome
Attractively impressive in appearance or style, especially of men.
The lead actor is quite handsome in the new film.
Ugly
Describing morally reprehensible or offensive behavior.
The dispute turned ugly quickly.
Handsome
Marked by elegance or distinction.
He wore a handsome suit to the interview.
Ugly
Eliciting a strong negative emotional response.
The confrontation left an ugly impression on everyone.
Handsome
Reflecting a commendable aspect beyond physical appearance.
He made a handsome effort in organizing the event.
Ugly
Indicating situations that are unfavorable or problematic.
The weather forecast predicts ugly conditions.
Handsome
Pleasing in design or construction.
The architect designed a handsome building.
Ugly
Deviating from a standard of beauty or aesthetics.
The building's facade is considered an ugly addition to the cityscape.
Handsome
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
A handsome man.
A woman with a handsome face.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
Handsome
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
A handsome manor.
A sleek, handsome car.
Ugly
Repulsive or offensive; objectionable
An ugly remark.
Handsome
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
A handsome reward.
Won by a handsome margin.
Ugly
Chiefly Southern US Rude
Don't be ugly with me.
Handsome
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
Did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Ugly
New England Unmanageable. Used of animals, especially cows or horses.
Handsome
Appropriate or fitting
A handsome location for the new school.
Ugly
Morally reprehensible; bad.
Handsome
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Ugly
Threatening or ominous
Ugly black clouds.
Handsome
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Ugly
Likely to cause embarrassment or trouble
"Public opinion in both nations could take an ugly turn" (George R. Packard).
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.
Ugly
Marked by or inclined to anger or bad feelings; disagreeable
An ugly temper.
An ugly scene.
Handsome
Good, appealing, appropriate.
Ugly
One that is ugly.
Handsome
(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.
Ugly
Displeasing to the eye; aesthetically unpleasing.
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
A handsome style
Ugly
Displeasing to the ear or some other sense.
Handsome
Generous or noble in character.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Ugly
Offensive to one's sensibilities or morality.
He played an ugly trick on us.
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
A handsome salary
Ugly
(Southern US) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome.
An ugly temper; to feel ugly
Handsome
Dexterous; skillful.
Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss.
An ugly rumour; an ugly customer; an ugly wound
With all this competition, expect things to get ugly.
Handsome
To render handsome.
Ugly
Ugliness.
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.
Ugly
(slang) An ugly person or thing.
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.
Ugly
Any product whose size and shape prevents it from fitting neatly on a pallet.
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.
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from a bonnet.
Handsome
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Ugly
To make ugly (sometimes with up).
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
Ugly
Offensive to the sight; contrary to beauty; being of disagreeable or loathsome aspect; unsightly; repulsive; deformed.
The ugly view of his deformed crimes.
Like the toad, ugly and venomous.
O, I have passed a miserable night,So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams.
Handsome
To render handsome.
Ugly
Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly.
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
Ugly
Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer.
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
Ugly
A shade for the face, projecting from the bonnet.
Ugly
To make ugly.
Ugly
Displeasing to the senses and morally revolting;
An ugly face
Ugly furniture
War is ugly
Ugly
Deficient in beauty;
Ugly gray slums
Ugly
Inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace;
A surly waiter
An ugly frame of mind
Ugly
Morally reprehensible;
Would do something as despicable as murder
Ugly crimes
The vile development of slavery appalled them
Ugly
Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments;
A baleful look
Forbidding thunderclouds
His tone became menacing
Ominous rumblings of discontent
Sinister storm clouds
A sinister smile
His threatening behavior
Ugly black clouds
The situation became ugly
Ugly
Provoking horror;
An atrocious automobile accident
A frightful crime of decapitation
An alarming, even horrifying, picture
War is beyond all words horrible
An ugly wound
Common Curiosities
Can "ugly" describe something other than physical appearance?
Yes, "ugly" can describe behaviors, situations, or actions that are morally reprehensible, offensive, or undesirable.
How subjective are the terms "handsome" and "ugly"?
Both terms are highly subjective, influenced by cultural norms, personal preferences, and contextual factors.
What defines someone as handsome?
Being described as handsome typically means the person has an attractive, aesthetically pleasing appearance, often with an emphasis on elegance or sophistication.
What impact does calling something "ugly" have?
Labeling something as "ugly" can have a negative impact, potentially causing harm or offense due to its strong association with repulsiveness or undesirability.
Is the perception of what is handsome universal?
No, perceptions of handsomeness vary widely across cultures and individuals, reflecting diverse standards of beauty and aesthetic preferences.
Is it appropriate to use "ugly" in all contexts?
Caution is advised when using "ugly" due to its potential to offend, especially when referring to personal attributes or in sensitive situations.
Can someone or something be considered both handsome and ugly?
In different contexts or by different standards, yes, someone or something might be seen as handsome by some and ugly by others.
Is the term "handsome" only applicable to men?
While traditionally used to describe men, "handsome" can be applied to women, though less commonly, and can also describe quantities or qualities beyond appearance.
Why might someone use the term "ugly" to describe a situation?
Using "ugly" to describe a situation implies it has become unpleasant, difficult, or complicated, often with negative emotional undertones.
How do media and culture influence perceptions of "handsome" and "ugly"?
Media and culture play significant roles in shaping and reflecting standards of beauty and aesthetics, influencing what is considered "handsome" or "ugly."
Can "handsome" describe actions?
Indirectly, yes. Describing actions as handsome might refer to their outcome or nature being generous, significant, or commendable.
Can objects be described as handsome?
Yes, objects can be described as handsome, often in the context of design, where it implies a sense of elegance, functionality, or substantial quality.
Does the definition of "handsome" change over time?
Yes, like all aspects of language, the definition and use of "handsome" can evolve with changing societal norms and aesthetic standards.
How do personal preferences affect the use of "handsome" and "ugly"?
Personal preferences heavily influence the application of these terms, as individuals have unique standards of beauty and aesthetics.
Are there any positive aspects of being described as "ugly"?
While generally seen as negative, being described as "ugly" can sometimes foster a sense of uniqueness or character, particularly in artistic contexts where deviation from the norm is valued.
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Written 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.
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.
