Handsome

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhænsÉ™m/
• Hyphenation: hand + some

Origin

hand + -some, compare Dutch handzaam.

Full definition of handsome

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; -- applied to things as persons.
• Robynson, Utopia, That they of war be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about.
• Edmund Spenser, For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented for him
2. (of a man) Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression; attractive.a handsome man; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
3. (of a woman) Striking, impressive and elegantly proportioned, though not typically beautiful.
4. Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate.a handsome style, etc.
• Felton, Easiness and handsome address in writing.
5. Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.Handsome is as handsome does.
6. Ample; moderately large.a handsome salary
• V. Knox, He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
7. Having a good appearance
• 2011, November 5, Phil Dawkes, QPR 2 - 3 Man City, City have lapped up the plaudits this season for a series of handsome wins but manager Roberto Mancini has demanded that his side also learn to grind out results when they do not play well. He now has an example to point to.

Derived terms

• to do the handsome thing

Synonyms

• (agreeable, attractive, pleasing) pretty

Verb

1. (transitive, obsolete) To render handsome.