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handsomeness

handsomeness

3 3.2
The quality of having a good-looking face, often in a man
  • noun
  • /ˈhændsəmnəs/
translation icon : hermosura
  • Many admired the classical handsomeness of the actor, which reminded them of a Greek statue.
  • rugged handsomeness
  • dark handsomeness

Where do you put yourself on the scale of handsomeness?

Examples

  • Joshua was tall, and she found the combination of his rugged handsomeness and his bold manner exciting.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • So Helen Du Pray had transformed a seductive beauty into the stern handsomeness of Joan of Arc.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As she got older, her plain features had taken on a handsomeness not unlike a piece of Roman sculpture.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Except for his perfect masculine handsomeness, he seemed to be an ordinary boy.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • His rugged handsomeness was evident in his chiseled jawline and piercing blue eyes.

  • Despite his age, the man's distinguished handsomeness continued to captivate those around him.

Synonyms

appeal
vshandsomeness
188 2.6

A quality that makes something attractive to many people

targets specific well formed male facial features rather than broad general interest
good looks
vshandsomeness
58 1.7

An attractive face and appearance people notice

is more about well defined male facial features specifically
attractiveness
vshandsomeness
  • NSFW
19 3.2

The quality that makes people notice and like someone's looks or character

is narrower, centering on precise male facial shape rather than broad charm
loveliness
vshandsomeness
11 2.0

A pleasing, beautiful look that makes people admire it

refers more to sharp male facial features than to gentle beauty
sexiness
vshandsomeness
  • NSFW
10 4.2

A quality that makes someone seem attractive and causes people to want physical closeness

concerns clear male facial structure rather than sexual or desire based attraction
gorgeousness
vshandsomeness
1 3.9

A state of being very beautiful or attractive

focuses on defined masculine facial features rather than extreme overall beauty
rugged look
vshandsomeness
1 3.9

A rough, strong, attractive appearance in a man's face or style

focuses on well defined, neat facial structure rather than rough strong appearance
comeliness
vshandsomeness
  • Archaic
1 8.4

Physical beauty that is pleasant to look at

emphasizes defined male facial features rather than general visual pleasantness
desirability
vshandsomeness
  • NSFW
1 6.3

How attractive someone is to other people in a sexual way

is about neat male facial features rather than being desired sexually
beauteousness
vshandsomeness
  • Archaic
1 8.4

How beautiful something looks

puts weight on defined male facial form, not general or artistic beauty
sightliness
vshandsomeness
6.7

How pleasant something looks to people

focuses on clear, masculine facial definition not just general visual pleasantness

Antonyms

16 1.4

A quality of being unpleasant to look at

4.6

Not having an attractive appearance

How Attractive

beauty
847 1.0
handsomeness
3 3.2
attractiveness
  • NSFW
19 3.2
appeal
188 2.6
plainness
4.6

Surface Forms

handsomeness singular

Morphology

handsomeness = handsome (transparent) = handsome + ness

A straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'handsome' using the productive suffix '-ness', so learners who know 'handsome' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Handsomeness comes from the older word handsome, which originally meant 'easy to handle' and was formed from hand (something you use to hold) plus the ending -some meaning 'having'. Over time handsome changed to mean 'good-looking', so handsomeness now means the quality of being 'good-looking' or attractive.