Where Did The Term Handsome Come From?

When it was originally adopted into English, ‘handsome’ referred to

something easy to handle or maneuver with one’s hands

. Beginning in the 15th century handsome was adopted into English with the meaning of “easy to handle or maneuver; suitable for handling.” …

What did handsome originally mean?

When it was originally adopted into English, ‘handsome’ referred to

something easy to handle or maneuver with one’s hands

. Beginning in the 15th century handsome was adopted into English with the meaning of “easy to handle or maneuver; suitable for handling.” …

Where does the saying handsome come from?

handsome (adj.)

c. 1400

, handsom “easy to handle, ready at hand,” from hand (n.) + -some (1). Sense extended to “fit, appropriate” (1550s, implied in handsomely), then “having fine form, good-looking, agreeable to the eye” (1580s).

What is a handsome man called?

adonis

Add to list Share. An adonis is a very handsome man, especially a young one. You might secretly think of your good-looking neighbor as “a young adonis.” You’ll most commonly see this word capitalized: Adonis, though if you’re using it to mean “handsome guy,” it’s okay to use a lower-case a.

When did handsome become masculine?

The adjective “handsome” has had many meanings since it entered English in the

15th century

, but it’s not certain why some have tended to attach themselves to men and others to women. When the word first showed up around 1440, according to the OED, it meant easy to handle or manipulate.

Is the word handsome outdated?

So now you know that

“handsome” is not considered an old-fashioned word

.

What is the female version of handsome?

The feminine equivalent to (usually, facetious) “Hey, handsome!” is… “Hey,

gorgeous

!” Pretty or beautiful are the most common words. Handsome can be used for women, but is somewhat old-fashioned.

Can a woman be called handsome?

Answer. Yes, you can use the

adjective handsome for women

. While handsome is more often used for men, women can also be called handsome. When a woman is described as handsome, it suggests that she is very good-looking, and also healthy and strong.

How old is the word handsome?

In the English of

the mid-15th century

, when this word was first recorded (as hondsom ), it meant “easy to handle” (obsolete now); by the mid-16th century handsome developed the senses “convenient, handy, suitable” (also obsolete) and “courteous, gracious,” and then “generous, noble, magnanimous.” Here we see the …

How do you compliment a guy?

1. Make it true and sincere. …
2. Make it specific. …
3. Focus on what he prides himself on. …
4. But compliment his other good points too. …
5. Refer to how he makes you feel. …
6. Unexpected compliments are good. …
7. Decide how to deliver the compliment. …
8. Don’t fish for a compliment back.

What is a unique way to say handsome?

How do you describe a handsome man in one word?

In this page you can discover 102 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for handsome, like: sexy, pulchritudinous, good-looking,

hunky

, manly, attractive, easy-on-the-eyes, stunning, magnanimous, spruce and exquisite.

What is a big word for beautiful?

Some common synonyms of beautiful are

comely

, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean “exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure,” beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

Can a boy be called beautiful?

If the boy is still a child,

pre-adolescent, he can be described as being beautiful

. … For teenagers and adults, the genderless adjectives good-looking, and attractive are the safest and best-known options. They can be used for young and “mature” people, both men and women.

What is the opposite handsome?

Handsome means; good-looking (for man), pretty, personable, smart, comely, shapely, sightly. Opposites of Handsome;

ugly

.

Can beautiful be used for a man?

Can beautiful be used to describe a man? Our evidence shows that when beautiful is used to describe physical beauty, it is overwhelming used of women or a physical aspect of a woman (such as her hair or skin). … Nowadays,

handsome

is the adjective of appreciation most commonly used of men.