handsome

Everyday

1. Handsome means good-looking, usually said about a man or boy. tree →
2. A handsome animal, building or object is fine and attractive to look at, like a handsome horse or a handsome old house. tree →
3. A handsome amount is large and generous, like a handsome reward or a handsome win. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales the handsome prince is a common character; in everyday life it is a compliment. In news and sport «a handsome win» means winning by a lot. Phrases: «tall, dark and handsome», «a handsome reward», «a handsome profit».

Examples

• The handsome prince rode a white horse. tree →
• Grandpa looks very handsome in his suit. tree →
• What a handsome dog! tree →
• They offered a handsome reward for the lost cat. tree →
• The team won by a handsome margin of five goals. tree →
• It is a handsome old building made of stone. tree →
• She made a handsome profit selling lemonade. tree →
• Handsome is as handsome does, says the old proverb. tree →
• Guests were invited, and received handsome presents. tree →

Note

Silent d: say «HAN-sum». For women and girls people usually say «beautiful» or «pretty», though «handsome woman» exists too. The proverb «handsome is as handsome does» means good actions matter more than looks.

In Jewish tradition

Describes young men who looked grand and strong, here the Assyrian and Babylonian soldiers.

Interpretation. In Ezekiel the beauty of these men is a lure that leads Israel into unfaithfulness, a picture of trusting foreign powers instead of God.

Examples

• clothed with blue, governors and rulers, handsome young men all of them, horsemen riding upon horses. (Prophets EZK.23.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• She doted upon the Assyrians, governors and rulers, warriors, clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them handsome young men. (Prophets EZK.23.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• the Babylonians and all the Chaldeans, Pekod and Shoa and Koa, and all the Assyrians with them, handsome young men, governors and rulers all of them, captains and councillors, all of them riding upon horses. (Prophets EZK.23.23, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Silent d: say «HAN-sum». For women and girls people usually say «beautiful» or «pretty», though «handsome woman» exists too. The proverb «handsome is as handsome does» means good actions matter more than looks.