handsome

The definition of handsome is someone (especially a man) who is good looking, something well made, or something substantial or generous.

(adjective)

An example of handsome is an attractive male actor.
An example of handsome is a woman who is good looking but not necessarily pretty.
An example of handsome is a beautiful and well-made coat.
An example of handsome is a very large donation to charity.

See handsome in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

1. Now Rare moderately large
2. large; impressive; considerable: a handsome sum
generous; magnanimous; gracious: a handsome gesture
good-looking; of pleasing appearance: said esp. of attractiveness that is manly, dignified, or impressive rather than delicate and graceful: a handsome lad, a handsome chair

Origin: orig., easily handled, convenient < ME handsom: see hand & -some

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See handsome in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective hand·som·er, hand·som·est

Pleasing and dignified in form or appearance. See Synonyms at beautiful.
Generous or copious: a handsome reward. See Synonyms at liberal.
Marked by or requiring skill dexterity: did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Appropriate or fitting: a handsome location for the new school.
Large: a handsome price; won by a handsome margin.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English handsom, handy

Origin: : hand, hand (from Old English)

Origin: + -som, n. suff.; see -some¹

Related Forms: