adj

handsome

HAN-suhm

adj

Good-looking, especially describing a man's attractive face or build.

"Everyone agreed the groom looked incredibly handsome."

"He was tall, dark, and handsome, just like in the novels."

Generously large; considerable in amount.

"She received a handsome bonus at the end of the year."

How to Use Handsome

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGood-looking (usually of men), or generously sized when describing an amount.

Common mistake

Traditionally applied to men, but is increasingly used to describe striking, strong-featured women too.

Common pairings

handsome man a handsome sum handsome profit

Word Forms

more handsome comparative, handsomer comparative, handsomed past tense, handsomes singular, most handsome superlative, handsomest superlative

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Everyone agreed the groom looked incredibly _____.

Etymology

From Middle English handsum ("easy to handle"), from "hand" + "-some." The meaning shifted over time from "convenient" to "attractive" by the late 1500s.

Rhymes for handsome

ome some come home Rome nome tome dome gnome genome become income

See all rhymes for handsome →