Beautiful vs. Handsome: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on March 27, 2024
"Beautiful" describes pleasing aesthetic qualities in general, while "handsome" often refers to a strong, attractive appearance, especially in men.
Difference Between Beautiful and Handsome
"Beautiful" is a word that is universally understood to convey a sense of aesthetic pleasure. It denotes something that is pleasing to the senses, especially to the eyes. The term "beautiful" can be applied across genders, objects, and landscapes. A woman can be beautiful, a piece of art can be beautiful, and a sunset can be described as beautiful.
Muazma Batool
Mar 27, 2024
On the other hand, "handsome" is a term often applied to men who possess a classic and strong appearance. It carries a sense of ruggedness, grace, and often a distinguished look. While women can also be described as handsome, suggesting a type of mature and striking beauty, the word is predominantly reserved for men.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 27, 2024
Beyond individuals, the term "handsome" can also be used to describe objects and things, but in a more specific manner than "beautiful". For instance, a book might be described as handsome due to its binding and cover, suggesting it has a certain sturdiness or dignified appearance. "Beautiful", however, is more versatile, used to describe myriad things from melodies to moments.
Muazma Batool
Mar 27, 2024
In summary, while both "beautiful" and "handsome" refer to pleasing aesthetic qualities, "beautiful" is a more universal descriptor across genders and objects, and "handsome" often indicates a type of classic, strong, and dignified beauty, especially in the context of male appearance.
Elijah
Mar 27, 2024
Beautiful vs. Handsome Comparison Chart
Objects
Versatile; used for landscapes, art, moments, etc.
Often used for sturdy, dignified objects.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 27, 2024
Connotation
Pleasing aesthetic qualities in general.
Strong, classic, dignified beauty.
Muazma Batool
Mar 27, 2024
Use in Everyday Speech
Describes general beauty and aesthetics.
Predominantly for attractive men or objects.
Henry
Mar 27, 2024
Beautiful vs. Handsome Definitions
◉Beautiful
Of a very high standard; wonderful.
She gave a beautiful performance.
Muazma Batool
Sep 18, 2023
◉Handsome
Impressively and expensively stylish.
The office was furnished in a handsome manner.
Jonathan
Sep 18, 2023
◉Beautiful
Having beauty; possessing qualities that delight the eye.
The mountain views are truly beautiful.
Olivia
Sep 18, 2023
◉Handsome
Substantial or generous in amount.
She received a handsome salary for her services.
Muazma Batool
Sep 18, 2023
◉Beautiful
Pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.
The painting showcased a beautiful landscape.
Jonathan
Sep 18, 2023
◉Handsome
Good-looking, especially of a man.
He grew into a handsome young man.
Muazma Batool
Sep 18, 2023
◉Beautiful
Delighting the senses or exciting admiration.
The concert was a beautiful experience.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 18, 2023
◉Handsome
Pleasing in form or appearance, especially having strong or distinguished features
a handsome man.
a woman with a handsome face.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Beautiful
Having qualities that delight or appeal to the senses and often the mind.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Having stately or attractive proportions or appearance; impressive
a handsome manor.
a sleek, handsome car.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Large in amount or measure; generous or considerable
a handsome reward.
won by a handsome margin.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Marked by or requiring skill or dexterity
did some handsome maneuvers on the skating rink.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Beautiful
Attractive and possessing beauty.
Anyone who has ever met her thought she was absolutely beautiful.
There's a beautiful lake by the town.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Beautiful
Good, admirable.
He was a beautiful person; he would drop everything to help you.
You've done a beautiful thing today.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Having a pleasing appearance, good-looking, attractive, particularly
That is one handsome tree you've got there.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Beautiful
(of the weather) Pleasant; clear.
It's beautiful outside, let's go for a walk.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Attractively manly, having a pleasing face and overall effect.
I was tripping over his own feet coming in out of the surf.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Beautiful
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration;
a beautiful child
beautiful country
a beautiful painting
a beautiful theory
a beautiful party
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Suitable or fit in action; marked with propriety and ease; appropriate.
a handsome style
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Evincing a becoming generosity or nobleness of character; liberal; generous.
Handsome is as handsome does.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Ample; moderately large.
He . . . accumulated a handsome sum of money.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Handsome
Dignified and graceful in appearance or manner.
The old building had a handsome facade.
Kaitlyn
Sep 18, 2023
Beautiful vs. Handsome Frequently Asked Questions
Which term is broader in its scope?
Beautiful is more universal, while handsome is more specific.
Elijah
Mar 27, 2024
What does beautiful typically refer to?
Something that is pleasing to the senses or mind aesthetically.
Muazma Batool
Mar 27, 2024
Is it common to call a woman handsome?
While less common than for men, women can be described as handsome to denote a mature, striking beauty.
Olivia
Mar 27, 2024
Is handsome usually used to describe men?
Yes, it often refers to men with a strong, attractive appearance.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 27, 2024
Can an object be described as beautiful?
Yes, objects, landscapes, and moments can be described as beautiful.
Muneeza Rehman
Mar 27, 2024
Can handsome describe more than appearance?
Yes, it can also refer to substantial or generous amounts, like a salary.
Lucas
Mar 27, 2024
In what scenario might a book be called handsome?
If the book has an elegant, sturdy, or dignified appearance or binding.
William
Mar 27, 2024
Can both terms be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, they have unique connotations and are not always synonymous.
Kaitlyn
Mar 27, 2024
What's the core difference between the two terms?
Beautiful describes general pleasing aesthetics, while handsome often denotes strong, classic, dignified beauty.
Muazma Batool
Mar 27, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
