Dashing vs. Handsome — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 24, 2023
"Dashing" refers to a stylish, adventurous appearance or manner, while "Handsome" primarily denotes physical attractiveness, especially in men.
Difference Between Dashing and Handsome
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Dashing" carries a sense of flair and adventurous spirit, suggesting not just physical appeal but also charisma and vivacity. "Handsome," on the other hand, straightforwardly describes someone as aesthetically pleasing, especially in terms of facial features or physique.
While both "Dashing" and "Handsome" can be used to compliment someone's appearance, their nuances vary. A dashing individual might wear striking attire or carry themselves with a captivating energy. A handsome person, however, is generally appreciated for their well-proportioned and attractive features.
In literature or films, a "Dashing" hero might undertake daring feats, exuding confidence and charm, often catching attention. Conversely, a "Handsome" character might be noted for their good looks but might not possess the same adventurous spirit associated with being dashing.
It's possible for someone to be both dashing and handsome. For example, a man dressed in a sharp suit, carrying himself with grace and self-assuredness, could be considered handsome for his facial attractiveness and dashing for his style and energy.
Comparison Chart
Primary Connotation
Stylish, adventurous appearance or manner.
Physical attractiveness, especially in men.
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Usage
Describes flair, charisma, or vivacity.
Describes aesthetic appeal of features or physique.
Context
Often seen in adventurous or charismatic characters in literature.
Typically related to facial attractiveness or physique.
Associated Qualities
Confidence, energy, striking attire.
Well-proportioned features, symmetry.
Scope
Can pertain to behavior, attire, or general energy.
Primarily about physical looks.
Compare with Definitions
Dashing
Attractively showy and stylish.
His dashing attire always turned heads at events.
Handsome
Considerable or ample in degree.
He made a handsome profit from the sale.
Dashing
Full of adventure or spirit.
She admired his dashing approach to life's challenges.
Handsome
Pleasing in appearance, especially for men.
Everyone agreed that he was the most handsome man in the room.
Dashing
Bold and lively.
Her dashing energy made her the life of the party.
Handsome
Marked by elegance or graciousness.
She lived in a handsome colonial-era house.
Dashing
Marked by distinctive style or flair.
Wearing a bold red scarf, he looked particularly dashing.
Handsome
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
A handsome man.
A woman with a handsome face.
Dashing
Audacious and gallant; spirited
A dashing young actor.
Handsome
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
A handsome manor.
A sleek, handsome car.
Dashing
Marked by showy elegance; splendid
A dashing sports car.
Handsome
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
A handsome reward.
Won by a handsome margin.
Dashing
Spirited, audacious and full of high spirits.
Handsome
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
Did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Dashing
Chic, fashionable.
All heads turned as the dashing young man entered the room.
Handsome
Appropriate or fitting
A handsome location for the new school.
Dashing
Present participle of dash
Handsome
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Dashing
The action of the verb to dash.
Handsome
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Dashing
Bold; spirited; showy.
The dashing and daring spirit is preferable to the listless.
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.
Dashing
Lively and spirited;
A dashing hero
Handsome
Good, appealing, appropriate.
Dashing
Marked by smartness in dress and manners;
A dapper young man
A jaunty red hat
Handsome
(of weather) Fine, clear and bright.
Dashing
Stylish and confident in manner.
The young prince was known for his dashing presence at court.
Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
A handsome style
Handsome
Generous or noble in character.
Handsome is as handsome does.
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
Having a well-proportioned, attractive form.
The statue was a handsome representation of the Greek god.
Handsome
Exhibiting dignified elegance.
The room was adorned with handsome furnishings.
Common Curiosities
Does "Dashing" only refer to physical appearance?
No, "Dashing" can also describe behavior, charisma, or style.
Can a woman be described as "Dashing"?
Yes, a woman can be described as "Dashing" if she possesses flair or an adventurous spirit.
Is every handsome person also dashing?
Not necessarily. "Handsome" focuses on physical looks, while "Dashing" implies style and energy.
How is "Dashing" typically used in literature?
In literature, a "Dashing" character often exudes confidence, charisma, and undertakes daring feats.
Is "Handsome" exclusive to describing men?
Primarily, yes, but "Handsome" can also describe objects or even women in certain contexts.
Can buildings or objects be "Handsome"?
Yes, buildings or objects can be described as "Handsome" if they have a dignified elegance.
Can "Dashing" describe attire or outfits?
Yes, an outfit can be described as "Dashing" if it's stylish or eye-catching.
Are the terms "Dashing" and "Handsome" interchangeable?
No, while both can describe attractiveness, they have different nuances.
Do both words have historical origins in English?
Yes, both "Dashing" and "Handsome" have been used for centuries in English, though their meanings have evolved.
Is it common to describe women as "Handsome"?
While it's less common today, in historical contexts, women were occasionally described as "Handsome" to mean dignified or stately.
What are some synonyms for "Dashing"?
Some synonyms include "stylish," "flamboyant," "gallant," and "debonair."
Can someone be both "Dashing" and "Handsome"?
Yes, an individual can be both physically attractive (handsome) and have a stylish, adventurous manner (dashing).
What's the primary focus of "Handsome"?
"Handsome" primarily denotes physical attractiveness, especially in terms of facial features or physique.
What are some synonyms for "Handsome"?
Synonyms include "good-looking," "attractive," "striking," and "well-formed."
Can "Handsome" describe non-physical attributes?
Yes, in certain contexts, like a "Handsome profit," it refers to a sizable or considerable amount.
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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.
