|
|
- pronunciation:
- haen
s
 m
- 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
|
| related words: |
lovely |
|
|
|
|
| derivations: |
handsomely (adv.), handsomeness (n.) |
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.
|
|