Beauteous vs. Beauty — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 26, 2024
Beauteous refers to something full of beauty, particularly describing a person's appearance, while beauty is a broader term that can refer to an abstract quality of people, objects, or concepts that makes them pleasurable to perceive.
Difference Between Beauteous and Beauty
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Key Differences
Beauteous specifically describes the appealing physical appearance of someone, highlighting an old-fashioned or literary usage, whereas beauty encompasses aesthetic appeal in general, applicable to art, nature, and human features.
Beauteous often appears in poetic or elevated language, suggesting a type of beauty that is almost idealized, while beauty is a more common term used in everyday language to discuss visual and sensory appeal.
The term beauteous is adjectival, used to modify nouns directly and implying a subjective reaction to visual appeal; on the other hand, beauty can function as both a noun and an abstract concept, representing an inherent quality or an ideal.
While beauteous might be used to emphasize a more dramatic, often romantic type of attractiveness, beauty itself can refer to simpler, more universal forms of aesthetic pleasure that include balance, harmony, and proportion.
Beauteous is less frequently used in modern contexts and can seem archaic or stylistically specific, focusing on human features especially in literary texts; conversely, beauty is a ubiquitous concept in both everyday and philosophical discourse, often debated in terms of its standards and implications.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Noun (primarily), Adjective (rare)
Usage
Literary, poetic
Common, versatile
Application
Primarily to persons
Persons, nature, art, concepts
Connotation
Romantic, idealized
General, inclusive of various types
Frequency in Modern Use
Rare, considered somewhat archaic
Very common, widely used
Compare with Definitions
Beauteous
Full of beauty; beautiful.
The beauteous landscape captivated every onlooker.
Beauty
A combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.
The beauty of her painting was undeniable.
Beauteous
Having a pleasing appearance or effect.
The beauteous designs of the ancient tapestry impressed the museum visitors.
Beauty
The qualities in a person or thing that present aesthetic pleasure to the senses.
The beauty of the sunset left them speechless.
Beauteous
Characterized by or possessing qualities that delight the senses.
The beauteous melody of the harp enchanted the audience.
Beauty
An advantageous feature.
The beauty of this plan is its simplicity.
Beauteous
Suitable for or deserving to be described as beautiful.
The beauteous prose of the novel evoked vivid imagery.
Beauty
A beautiful or pleasing thing or person, in particular.
The garden was filled with beauties like roses and tulips.
Beauteous
Aesthetically pleasing in a particularly refined or delicate way.
Her beauteous smile was truly mesmerizing.
Beauty
The quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.
There is a timeless beauty in classical music.
Beauteous
Beautiful, especially to the sight.
Beauty
Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes these objects pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art.
Beauteous
Beautiful.
Beauty
A combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight
An area of outstanding natural beauty
I was struck by her beauty
Beauteous
Full of beauty; beautiful; very handsome.
Beauty
A beautiful woman
He arrived with a blonde beauty on his arm
She was considered a great beauty in her youth
Beauteous
Poetic
Beauty
Good; excellent (used as a general term of approval).
Beauty
A quality or combination of qualities that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is often associated with properties such as harmony of form or color, proportion, authenticity, and originality.
Beauty
One that is beautiful, especially a beautiful woman.
Beauty
A quality or feature that is most effective, gratifying, or telling
The beauty of the venture is that we stand to lose nothing.
Beauty
An outstanding or conspicuous example
The golf shot was a beauty, stopping a foot from the hole.
Beauty
The quality of being (especially visually) attractive, pleasing, fine or good-looking; comeliness.
Beauty
Someone who is beautiful.
Brigitte Bardot was a renowned beauty.
Beauty
Something that is particularly good or pleasing.
What a goal! That was a real beauty!
Beauty
An excellent or egregious example of something.
He got into a fight and ended up with two black eyes – two real beauties!
Beauty
The excellence or genius of a scheme or decision.
The beauty of the deal is it costs nothing!
Beauty
A beauty quark (now called bottom quark).
Beauty
Beauty treatment; cosmetology.
Beauty
(obsolete) Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
Beauty
Beautiful passages or extracts of poetry.
Beauty
(Canada) Thanks!
Beauty
(Canada) Cool!
It's the long weekend. Beauty!
Beauty
(Canada) Of high quality, well done.
He made a beauty pass through the neutral zone.
Beauty
To make beautiful.
Beauty
An assemblage of graces or properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the æsthetic faculty, or the moral sense.
Beauty consists of a certain composition of color and figure, causing delight in the beholder.
The production of beauty by a multiplicity of symmetrical parts uniting in a consistent whole.
The old definition of beauty, in the Roman school, was, "multitude in unity;" and there is no doubt that such is the principle of beauty.
Beauty
A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence; anything beautiful; as, the beauties of nature.
Beauty
A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman.
All the admired beauties of Verona.
Beauty
Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
She stained her hair yellow, which was then the beauty.
Beauty
The qualities that give pleasure to the senses
Beauty
A very attractive or seductive looking woman
Beauty
An outstanding example of its kind;
His roses were beauties
When I make a mistake it's a beaut
Common Curiosities
Can beauteous be used for things other than people?
While traditionally used for people, beauteous can sometimes be applied to things, especially in a poetic context.
How is beauty defined?
Beauty is defined as the quality or set of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind.
What is the difference between beauteous and beautiful?
Beauteous is more specific and literary, while beautiful is a more common and broadly used adjective.
How often is beauteous used today?
Beauteous is considered somewhat archaic and is not commonly used in everyday language.
Why might someone prefer to use beauteous?
Someone might prefer to use beauteous to evoke a sense of old-fashioned romanticism or to fit a particular poetic style.
What does beauteous mean?
Beauteous means full of beauty, particularly describing something that is aesthetically pleasing.
Can beauty apply to abstract concepts?
Yes, beauty can also refer to abstract concepts and qualities that are harmonious or aesthetically pleasing.
Is beauty subjective or objective?
Beauty is largely subjective, as it is often based on personal taste and cultural standards.
What makes something beauteous?
Something is considered beauteous if it possesses a high degree of beauty, often in a very romantic or idealized form.
Is there a philosophical study of beauty?
Yes, the study of beauty and its principles is known as aesthetics.
What is the opposite of beauty?
The opposite of beauty might be considered ugliness, which is the absence or lack of qualities that are considered aesthetically pleasing.
Does modern society value beauty?
Modern society places significant value on beauty, though its interpretations and standards are continually evolving.
Can beauty be functional?
Yes, beauty can also encompass functional or utilitarian aspects, such as in design where aesthetics meet practicality.
How do different cultures perceive beauty?
Cultural perceptions of beauty vary widely and are influenced by historical, social, and artistic factors.
What role does beauty play in art?
In art, beauty is often a central theme explored through various forms and expressions.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
