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handsome

hand·some

handsome

 
 
pronunciation:
haen sm
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
inflections: handsomer, handsomest
definition 1: having a pleasing, attractive, and healthy appearance.
Actors who were tall and handsome tended to get the leading roles.
synonyms:
good-looking, personable
antonyms:
plain, ugly, unattractive, uncomely
similar words:
attractive, beautiful, becoming, comely, fair, pretty, shapely
definition 2: large or generous in amount.
She deserved the handsome bonus that she received once the project was done.
synonyms:
bounteous, generous, munificent
antonyms:
meager
similar words:
abundant, ample, considerable, large, liberal, magnanimous, plentiful
definition 3: attractive and pleasing in form.
The architects created a truly handsome building.
synonyms:
aesthetic, attractive
antonyms:
unattractive
similar words:
beautiful, impressive, pretty, stately, well-made
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derivations: handsomely (adv.), handsomeness (n.)
Word History
The word handsome comes from an early English word that means "easy to handle." The meaning of "handsome" changed, to "good-looking," about five hundred years ago in the 1500s.
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