handsome
pronunciation
How to pronounce handsome in British English:
UK [ˈhænsəm]
How to pronounce handsome in American English:
US [ˈhænsəm]
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- Adjective:
- pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
- given or giving freely
Word Origin
- handsome
- handsome: see hand
- handsome (adj.)
- c. 1400, handsom "easy to handle, ready at hand," from hand (n.) + -some (1). Sense extended to "fit, appropriate" (1550s, implied in handsomely), then "having fine form, good-looking, agreeable to the eye" (1580s). Meaning "generous, on a liberal scale" (of rewards, etc.) first recorded 1680s. [Americans] use the word "handsome" much more extensively than we do: saying that Webster made a handsome speech in the Senate: that a lady talks handsomely, (eloquently:) that a book sells handsomely. A gentleman asked me on the Catskill Mountain, whether I thought the sun handsomer there than at New York. [Harriet Martineau, "Society in America," 1837] Related: Handsomeness. For sense development, compare pretty (adj.). Similar formation in Dutch handzaam "tractable, serviceable."
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. Doubtless , professor block is a handsome fellow .
- 2. Are you looking for a tall , dark and handsome man ?
- 3. Here , she shows off her best accessory - a handsome prince .
- 4. The actor had a handsome and distinguished countenance .
- 5. Even so , their shares have surged on debut , giving many investors handsome returns .