# handsomely

/ˈhænsəmɫi/ (US) · /hˈændsʌmli/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/handsomely
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

in a way that is very generous or impressive. You use this to describe a reward or a performance that is much better than expected.

For teachers: in a manner that is generous, impressive, or well-earned. Often used to describe the scale of a reward or the quality of a performance.

## Examples

- The company rewarded him handsomely for his hard work.
- The athlete performed handsomely in the final race, breaking the world record by several seconds.
- The committee decided to award the prize handsomely, recognizing not only the technical skill of the entry but also its profound social impact on the local community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.