Definitions
01attractive person
A2 · Elementary
adj. good-looking or attractive, often used for men or for women with strong, classic features.
adj. physically attractive in a way that suggests health, strength, and dignity; traditionally applied to men, though it may describe women with impressive or stately features.
“He was a handsome man with dark hair and a kind smile.”
“The portrait depicted a handsome gentleman in his late fifties, whose sharp features and steady gaze suggested a life of disciplined leadership.”
Synonyms
02large or generous
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. large in amount or very generous.
adj. denoting a substantial or impressive quantity, often in the context of money, gifts, or rewards.
“The company offered him a handsome salary to join their team.”
“After twenty years of loyal service, the retiring clerk was granted a handsome pension that far exceeded his expectations.”
Synonyms
03well-made or impressive
B1 · Intermediate
adj. looking expensive, high-quality, or impressive.
adj. characterised by impressive proportions, high-quality craftsmanship, or an aesthetically pleasing design.
“They lived in a handsome old house made of red brick.”
“The library was housed in a handsome Victorian building, featuring high ceilings and ornate woodwork that had been meticulously restored.”
Etymology
From Middle English handsum, hondsom, equivalent to hand + -some. Compare Dutch handzaam, German Low German handsaam. The original sense was ‘easy to handle or use’, hence ‘suitable’ and ‘apt, clever’ (mid 16th century), giving rise to the current appreciatory senses (late 16th century).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/handsome
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0