Beautiful vs. Handsome — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 24, 2023
"Beautiful" generally refers to an aesthetic that is pleasing and impressive, often used for women, nature, or art. "Handsome" typically describes a rugged, classic attractiveness, primarily used for men or structures.
Difference Between Beautiful and Handsome
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Beautiful and Handsome are both adjectives used to describe something or someone that is aesthetically pleasing. However, the context and connotations they carry can be different. While Beautiful is a broader term that can apply to people, landscapes, art, and other entities, Handsome often has a more specific usage.
Historically, Beautiful has been predominantly used to describe women, suggesting grace, elegance, or a delicate attractiveness. It can also describe a sunset, a song, or even a sentiment. Handsome, while it can describe a woman, is more frequently associated with men, indicating a kind of rugged, classic attractiveness.
It's not just people that these words can describe. Architecturally, a building might be described as Handsome when it has a dignified and stately appearance. On the other hand, Beautiful might be used for a structure or landscape that evokes a sense of wonder or pleasure.
The perception of what is Beautiful or Handsome can be subjective and varies across cultures and individuals. Additionally, as language evolves, the distinction between these words has become less rigid. Nowadays, it's not uncommon to hear someone describe a man as Beautiful or a woman as Handsome.
Both Beautiful and Handsome carry positive connotations and are often used to express admiration. While the traditional boundaries between their usages still exist, they continue to overlap in contemporary contexts, signifying a change in societal standards of beauty and attractiveness.
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Comparison Chart
Traditional Gender Association
More associated with women.
More associated with men.
Usage
Broad: people, nature, art, feelings, etc.
Specific: often men, architecture, or dignified appearance.
Connotations
Delicate, graceful, wondrous.
Rugged, classic, dignified.
Flexibility
Can describe intangible and tangible things.
Often tangible, like physical appearance or structures.
Cultural Evolution
Has retained broader applicability.
Expanding to describe women more often than in the past.
Compare with Definitions
Beautiful
Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
The painting was beautiful.
Handsome
Having an attractive, well-proportioned, and imposing appearance.
The actor was strikingly handsome.
Beautiful
Of a very high standard; excellent.
She gave a beautiful performance.
Handsome
Large in quantity or size; substantial.
He made a handsome profit from the deal.
Beautiful
Possessing qualities that give great pleasure or satisfaction.
The sky looked beautiful at dusk.
Handsome
Executed with skill and grace.
She made a handsome gesture.
Beautiful
Lovely in appearance.
She looked beautiful in that dress.
Handsome
Of a size, design, or proportion that is aesthetically pleasing.
The cathedral is a handsome structure.
Beautiful
Delightful in all aspects.
It was a beautiful experience.
Handsome
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
A handsome man.
A woman with a handsome face.
Beautiful
Having qualities that delight or appeal to the senses and often the mind.
Handsome
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
A handsome manor.
A sleek, handsome car.
Beautiful
Excellent; wonderful
Hit a beautiful shot from the tee.
Handsome
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
A handsome reward.
Won by a handsome margin.
Beautiful
Used to express approval or delight.
Handsome
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
Did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Beautiful
Attractive and possessing beauty.
Anyone who has ever met her thought she was absolutely beautiful.
There's a beautiful lake by the town.
Handsome
Appropriate or fitting
A handsome location for the new school.
Beautiful
Good, admirable.
He was a beautiful person; he would drop everything to help you.
You've done a beautiful thing today.
Handsome
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Beautiful
(of the weather) Pleasant; clear.
It's beautiful outside, let's go for a walk.
Handsome
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Beautiful
Well executed.
The skater performed a beautiful axel.
Handsome
Statuesque, beautiful in a masculine or otherwise imposing way.
She was either handsome or her uniform created a flattering effect but—being very nearsighted—he couldn't tell from this distance.
Beautiful
Someone who is beautiful. Can be used as a term of address.
The man was faithful to his wife, ignoring the many blonde beautifuls who surrounded him wherever he went.
Hey, beautiful!
Handsome
Good, appealing, appropriate.
Beautiful
Having the qualities which constitute beauty; pleasing to the sight or the mind.
A circle is more beautiful than a square; a square is more beautiful than a parallelogram.
Handsome
(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.
Beautiful
Delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration;
A beautiful child
Beautiful country
A beautiful painting
A beautiful theory
A beautiful party
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
A handsome style
Beautiful
Aesthetically pleasing
Handsome
Generous or noble in character.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Beautiful
(of weather) highly enjoyable;
What a beautiful day
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
A handsome salary
Handsome
Dexterous; skillful.
Handsome
To render handsome.
Handsome
Dexterous; skillful; handy; ready; convenient; - applied to things as persons.
That they [engines of war] be both easy to be carried and handsome to be moved and turned about.
For a thief it is so handsome as it may seem it was first invented for him.
Handsome
Agreeable to the eye or to correct taste; having a pleasing appearance or expression; attractive; having symmetry and dignity; comely; - expressing more than pretty, and less than beautiful; as, a handsome man or woman; a handsome garment, house, tree, horse.
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; graceful; becoming; appropriate; as, a handsome style, etc.
Easiness and handsome address in writing.
Handsome
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
Handsome
To render handsome.
Handsome
Pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion;
A fine-looking woman
A good-looking man
Better-looking than her sister
Very pretty but not so extraordinarily handsome
Our southern women are well-favored
Handsome
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Handsome
Appropriate or fitting; becoming.
It was a handsome tribute to the veteran.
Common Curiosities
Is "Beautiful" only for living things?
No, Beautiful can describe landscapes, art, music, feelings, and more.
Can "Handsome" be used for women?
Yes, though traditionally it's more associated with men, it can describe women, especially implying a classic or dignified beauty.
Can buildings be described as "Handsome"?
Yes, a stately or dignified building can be described as Handsome.
Can landscapes be "Handsome"?
Less commonly, but yes, especially if implying a rugged or grand beauty.
Can "Beautiful" describe feelings?
Yes, e.g., "a beautiful sentiment."
Does "Beautiful" always imply delicacy?
No, while it can, beautiful can also describe grand or awe-inspiring sights.
Which word is more versatile?
Beautiful has broader applicability, while Handsome is more specific.
Is it okay to call a man "Beautiful"?
Absolutely, language and perceptions of beauty evolve, and it's acceptable in contemporary contexts.
Can "Handsome" refer to quantities?
Yes, e.g., "a handsome sum of money."
Is "Handsome" always about appearance?
Mostly, but it can also imply other attributes like generosity.
Is "Handsome" a more mature descriptor?
It often implies a mature, classic attractiveness but can be used broadly.
Are perceptions of "Handsome" and "Beautiful" cultural?
Yes, beauty standards can vary across cultures and time.
Can you describe nature as "Handsome"?
Yes, especially if indicating a rugged or majestic beauty.
Which is stronger, "Beautiful" or "Handsome"?
Neither is inherently stronger; both express admiration, but in different contexts.
Can art be "Handsome"?
Less commonly, but if implying dignified or classic beauty, yes.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
